Thanks to all for the great information! I've managed to assemble a collection of odds-and-ends to start to building a 275/327 so that's probably where I'll begin. The 283 looks to be cheaper initially, only because the Corvette restorers don't use them.
Anything has got to be better than what I now have now which is some-kind of Frankenstein small block of unknown parentage! I'm just looking forward anxiously to getting to the track, so if I have to, I'll run what I've got to get the chassis sorted out, and if it lasts long enough, I'll have the good piece ready for late in the season. I'll also thinking of a stick conversion to run with the 283.
Lew