Well, the shop sent the rear end out for the 3.73 posi and soda blasting. In the interim they got started on the engine dress up. Unfortunately, or fortunately, when they pulled the valve covers the oil looked like chocolate milk. Coolant levels were also low. So, I decided to pull the trigger on a new engine and ordered the zz502 - 508hp and 580tq! For now my only update is an empty engine bay!
Now need to return all the SBC goodies and figure out headers, etc for the 502.