I think I understand where your coming from. I don't believe you need to completely rebuild it. I would Stud and Ring the block and replace the main and rod bearings. That way you get a little piece of mind without blowing a lot of cash and you will be able to upgrade a bit without worrying about your head gasket. I would expect to spend a couple thousand with parts and labor. Give or take. Later, Paul

 

Im in the middle of rebuilding mine and for the machine work im into it 3,600 that includes the master rebuild kit and the getting the head fire ringed the engine was in good shape and needed no major machining just cleaned up plus I had the head reconditioned I figure for all the the little crap you need to replace a rebuild will cost about 5 grand you can do it cheaper than that for a so called "wash and wax" job but if your going to rebuild it do it right or else you turn your million mile engine into a time bomb