Shawn, I will add one comment about the camshaft thrust plate: please check and be very careful to get the original spec for clearance (.001 to .003"). 001" is best if you can manage it.

This is important if you want a smooth idle. It has happened to me twice. Once 50 years ago and again within the last 10 years. At idle speed if you have too much clearance at the thrust plate your camshaft can walk in and out and if it does your ignition timing will be inconsistent and it will cause a loping idle. I understand the camshaft by design should be constantly forced toward the back of the engine but in these engines my experience has been if you have too much thrust plate clearance at idle rpm the camshaft will "walk" in and out enough to oddly advance/retard your spark timing...and it doesn't take much.

If your engine is all together and running and you know you don't have any distributor problems, bad plugs or plug wires you can check this with a timing light. Paint your needle and the bb with white paint and check in darkness. Watch at idle how your number one plug is firing. If you see things wandering around at all, you might want to remove the camshaft and see about the thrust plate.

~ Jon
1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end