I have had pretty good luck with my Clevelands. Put over a 100k miles on my first one, a factory BOSS 351 powerplant. Never did anything internally, started with the stock 4V, tried a Holley, then 3-deuces, and finally Webers. I used about 6500 for my normal redline - I didn't want to tear-up that transaxle. Shifted at 7500 a few times, but not regularly.
My current 351C started as an Australian block, and has had modifications to the lifter bores to reduce
oil volume to the top end - (this only works with solid lifters). I have port plates on the exhaust side - the guy who ported my heads said he didn't recommend them on the intake side.
On the bottom end, you'd want to magnaflux and shot-peen the con rods (as BOSS 351 rods were) and use high quality rod bolts. The windage tray is probably a good idea.
Hope your next Cleveland lasts longer - the other one SHOULD have.
regards,
cobrajeff