Eric,
The timing cover for the front sump has a boss with a drilled hole on the lower pass side of the cover for a press-in dipstick tube. Some of the rear sump covers have the boss, but not drilled. Some have no boss. If you have a rear sump the dip stick will go through a hole drilled in the block or, in some cases, into a fitting on the
oil pan.
I run the same cam that comes in the FMS 393 crate motor. The motor is very streetable with a torque curve that feels virtually flat all the way to the shift light at 5700 RPM. I've been very pleased with the Vic Sr. heads so far.
With 3.50 gears, the Tremec gear ratios and the 408's torque you'll find little use for 1st gear, except maybe creeping along in stop-and-go traffic. I have 3.73's and I'd sure like to have a taller gear. This winter's project, maybe.
Ed