You don't need big valve or screw in stud heads for a cruising engine. Neither do you need forged pistons. If the engine was in reasonably good shape before it was pulled out you might not need new pistons at all. I'm a lot older than a lot of you. Back in the day we removed the cylinder ridge, honed the cylinders and put new rings in. We didn't have money for new pistons. We ran the original valve springs so we didn't need screw in studs either. Either I'm missing the point or some of you are. He said he wanted a cruising engine not a high performance engine. If that is true than he can build an engine that will last as long as he probably wants for a small investment. A stock 389 will have enough torque to roast the tires if that's what he wants. A cheap rebuild will last 30-40K miles with no problem. That would last me 15 to 20 years.
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