Good luck with the build As others have said, Gasser Wars is a great book with a year by year breakdown of the rules. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/gasser-must-haves-and-cant-haves.822149/ this thread has some good information too
Appreciate all the replies everyone, some great info and advice. I really do appreciate it. I had an engine guy pull the motor it came with apart, good news and bad news there. Good news: It looks like it has zero hours on it. Sat for a while, but functionally in like new condition and no rebuild is needed. Bad news: Its a ~1980 Target Master 350. From what I read, those heads are prone to cracking. It might even need a set of heads and a cam to use the carbs and tunnel ram, not sure on that yet.
If you’re not going for a killer engine, then a decent set of heads from Summit or Jeg’s would be a reasonable price choice for new heads that will flow enough. And an hydraulic roller cam with a matching set of springs and viola you got a decent engine for probably 2 grand more. I like spending other people’s money!
Not that I have a dog in the fight, but I drove a Dodge A-100 van for years and it handled and rode great with a straight front axle.... and those had the front seats right over the wheels
Chassis is clean. Going to remove some peeling paint and paint it flat black. Rear suspension and rear end work is next. That will take some time. But after that I should be able to really get rolling.