If you are brand new to the internals as you have mentioned, maybe you can see if your machine shop will allow you to observe the assembly to the short block stage so you can see how it is done. Then you can install the head, rocker arm assembly, water pump, etc, and still say that you put this engine together.
The rebuild kit and machine work alone can run between $2,000 and $3,000 for this engine. Assembly by them is more.
As mentioned by others, the slightest misstep by you will create a very expensive boat anchor.
Carl
