Your build sounds pretty good. I can only imagine the feeling getting up to warp speed this size car. I have plans to do something similar to my '58 Special. Did you have any issues routing the exhaust using the Patriot headers? I have been trying to find a header option without going custom. Are you still running stock front suspension & brakes? Curious to know any mods you did there. I like your rear-end idea. I am playing with the idea to stretch a mid '70s GM frame or try an early '90s Roadmaster, Impala or Cadillac Brougham chassis.
As to the OP - I see that you live in Kansas, you may want to rethink whether you want to block the heat passages to the carburetor base if you plan to drive the car in cold weather. I blocked them in my 425 and it ran horribly in cold weather until it was thoroughly warmed up - I'm talking 20 minutes plus. I also got carburetor ice a couple of times. I finally drilled the plugs that I had installed in the intake manifold. I used a 1/4" drill and with the now-reduced heat it runs fine hot or cold.
