Bob, your comparison to the flat head is one that I have made before too. The two most beautiful engines IMO are a dressed early Hemi and a fully dressed flat head. They are also among the most expensive engines to build. A built flat motor will be the most expensive 130 HP you will likely ever build.

I can fully sympathize with an older rodder in the early 60's. He's sitting on a bunch of nice flattie parts and they are doing him no good because technology has passed them by. Almost nothing you need to keep an old SBC running is available on the shelf at my local parts places. Spark plugs, a few gaskets and MAYBE an HEI ignition module. Everything has to come from the warehouse. For a vehicle you want to drive, the LS makes better sense.

FWIW - I've made the decision to sell off the SBC junk I have stuck back. Might get a little cash to fund this project. That's about the only way I'll get any use out of them before my wife has to sell them to the junk man. Yep, I'm feeling just like that old flat head guy!