Gary,
Our truck, Walter, has an engine similar to the one you are building. We stuck with stock pistons and decked the block and milled about .040 off an 848 head (probably a good idea to drill the extra steam holes if you use the 848 head). We first ran a "3/4" cam from Patrick's and they are very, very nice and helpful people but I was not impressed with the cam. I ordered a "Bulldog" cam from Tom Langdon - The Stovebolt Parts Co. - and it has been excellent. I don't think Tom sells cams anymore but the box mine came in said "Delta" on it. I haven't looked recently but I did find their web site - they are located out in Washington, I believe, and we still grinding all kinds of specialty cams the last time I looked.
A small single 4 bbl carb will probably give you good performance with a minimum of tinkering. We are running 2 of Tom Langdon's Holley/Weber progressive 2 bbl's on an old McGurk intake from a swap meet and absolutely love them (and like the way they look). They give great throttle response, good fuel economy and since they are a progressive 2 bble they behave like a 4 bbl.
We are running the Fenton headers and they work fine. I have no experience with the Jet Hot coatings.
You didn't mention ignition and I've run both the Pertronics conversion and the mini-HEI from Tom Langdon - both good systems and the Pertronics is considerably cheaper.
Sadly I have had similar experience with Clifford Performance. When Jack Clifford was alive they had great products but it seems that things have gone down hill in the last few years.
Good luck with your project!
Ron

1964 Chevrolet C-20 Fleetside, Otis
1950 Chevy 1/2-Ton, Kirby
1950 Chevy 1/2-Ton Shortbed, Walter