Delux,
I finished my 235 engine this year and LongBox has covered most of your questions. I will add that you should think about any modifications you want to make before you start to reassemble. Are you going to add full-flow oil filtering? 216 water pump? You need to do any additional drilling in the block before you put any parts back on so you can clean out the filings.
Ordering the kits from Patricks is time consuming, but don't get frustrated, because they will be asking the same questions the machine shop will ask; how much do you want to bore it? You'll have to have the block dipped and mic'd before they will tell you how much you need, then you have to get the pistons/rings from Patricks before they can bore it.
Ask around to find a good machine shop in your area. You don't want to do this more than once per engine.
And finally, I bought Chevy Gray engine paint from Chevs of the 40s, taped off all the openings in the block and painted it in the driveway. I think it came out pretty good. And don't be shocked when you paint it. That gray looks much darker in person than it does in pictures for some reason.
