[JLMounce]

Sounds like you're looking for re-assurance on what your plan is over actual advise on what to do.

If you want a 2801 and some iron heads with log manifolds, you can certainly go that route. You'll likely end up with a fine running engine that fits your needs. I don't know if that will be the most economical route, but it's certainly doable and much easier with the engine out of the car anyway.

Maybe I didn't read thoroughly enough, or may have missed a previous post somewhere, but what cubic inch is the engine at? A 557 block will be a 400. Does it have a stroker assembly in it that would punch it out to 460+ cid, or does it retain a factory stroke which would have it closer to a 406? This matters because the head you choose needs to match the size of the engine. If it's a stroked 400, I'd try to get a set of 6x-4's on there. These would net you a pump gas friendly compression ratio in the 9.3-9.5:1 range, depending on what pistons you have, how far in the hole they are and what type of head gasket you're using. You could likewise go with the 85cc KRE D port or 87cc Edelbrock D port. You may be able to get the Edelbrock heads the quickest.

All that of course is assuming this is a pretty standard stroker rotating assembly that uses flat top pistons with around 7cc's of valve relief. If you don't have receipts on what was put inside the engine and you're guessing, I'd take one of the heads off and verify what pistons are in there at a minimum. You don't want to spend 2K on a set of heads only to find out you've got a set of domed pistons in the engine that make them unusable on pump gas with a mild cam. If I was going to take a head off, I'd probably take the cam out at the same time and find out what you really have in there. If it's something in the low 230@0.050 range, it's going to have good manners and make enough vacuum in a 460" engine to run your AC and PB. You may be able to save a bit of money as a result and keep it in there.

In regards to the tall valve covers, do the heads have some kind of shaft rocker setup or stud girdle that would require valve covers that tall? Some people just like the look of tall covers. Those may be a non-issue and can simply be replaced with stock valve covers.