[Dangerous Doug]

289ERAkit:
I didn't go with T&L, so I cannot speak to their quality. I did call them about their weber-topped 347, and it uses the 44 IDF carbs ($2300 for manifold and carbs, spec'd to ~400 hp) as opposed to the 48 IDA's. Not a big difference, but it didn't justify in my mind the pricing. I was told the FFR guys love T&L, but I don't have any connections to verify.
On the "good deal" route, I talked to Coast High Performance today. They have a 347 stroker long block (Performer RRM heads) for $3999, and a 347 short block for $2299 (on sale on 6/13/2007 at 10% off, Gaylin x2910 at Coast High Performance).
My point remains the same, which I think was well taken. You can spend a lot of money machining an old 289/302, but there are better, more robust, and cheaper solutions out there. I'm going to ditch my 289, and sell some of the parts off of it (anyone in the market for 12.5:1 TRW forged pistons? Used? Make me an offer. Pressed in wrist pins, so std rods come with 'em.).

DD