I'd like to know how many posted here that actually have over 400 dyno'ed hp engines. I know my first engine I built was fast as far as I was concerned. Everyone thought it was damned fast. I figured at around 400 hp and would tear up the track in about 12- low 13 seconds. But when I hit the track, I barely made it into the 14s. So I was at least 100 hp off. That was along time ago. Nothing like a rear wheel dyno and track times to slap reality in your face. A buddy of mine built a 455 that would fry tires at will. It felt pretty fast but all it mustered on the rear wheel dyno was 260 HP. Thats about 320 at the engine. That was with 4 bbl, headers, RPM intake, 2 1/5 flowmaster exhaust etc etc.
Considering you plan to use the Edelbrock topend kit later, I wouldn't spend a lot on a carb, and then replace with an equal carb in the kit. I'd get one of the new Summit cheap 4 barrel carbs they sell for under $250 new, and then if you like it, sell the Edelbrock from the kit when you get that later. Distributor I'd go with something that's non HEI, as those are large and have clearance issues. If you can find a nice used stock points dist. and put a Pertronix kit in it you'll have a very reasonably priced distributor that works well. I've got two of them in my rides and they work great. Stock distributors go around $25 on Craigslist, and the kit is under $100. Water pumps vary, but any stock pump will serve you well, and length dpends on what pulley are on the engine. I've got a Weiand aluminum hi volume on my big block that was $75, but a $16 new NAPA pump on my SBC gasser that works as well. Get a decent set of plug wires, and don't forget to make sure they're high temp silicone since you're going headers. SBC have tight clearances with headers, unless they're fenderwell, and you'll burn up stock wires if they can't stand the heat. Rebuild kits vary, and you can get them cheap for a 350. Even a complete kit with hypertectic or forged pistons is under $250. Here's one example of what I've used on a couple engines, and they were all name brand parts in the kit: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-SBCKIT1-000/ You'll need to choose a cam to go with it, but the rest is all there.
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