1. I would replace any stock pistons with a quality forged piston, new pins and plasma moly ring set. Call these folks and tell them what you want for a finished product. Are you planning to use pump gas? If so you will want to lower compression to less than 10:1. You don't want to use race gas all the time do you? Stock compression is too high for pump gas.
http://www.raceeng.com/2. No paint. BARE ALUMINUM!!!!!!!!
3. Gloss black. Any good brand will do. PPG, Sikkens, Akzo Nobel - you use what your normally would.
A few more questions regarding the motor rebuild
1. Can anyone give me a good source piston rings and possibly a new piston as replacement for the original? Trying to avoid chinese parts.
2. How can I prep the valve covers? Should they be bare aluminum or painted/prepped somehow?
3. Is there a specific color black to paint the block?
Thanks Again for all the help.
Cant wait to get this car going.