I6 292 Engine Build Questions

[carbonfumes]

I'm sure this has been hashed over too many times, or someone will say put a LS motor in, I get that but, I really want to keep the I6 292 in my 65 longbed. I am needing to rebuild it as compression is really low, and its eating oil (rings shot), from everything I can tell it is 100% stock. I am keeping the Muncie 4 speed trans, and changing to 308 gears, the truck has a static 4-6 drop and is just a cruiser, and will never see a dragstrip. That being said I want some performance on this build, a torquey stop light to stop light machine, that also sounds good. I live in a colder climate with elevation ranging from 1000-6000 ft. above sea level, and drive it most days except in extreme cold weather.
I plan on doing Clifford Intake(heated), Clifford Headers, Holley 390 4 bbl, lump port heads, performance cam, HEI dist, electric fuel pump, aluminum radiator, and electric fan. Clifford and 12Bolt want HUGE money for performance pistons, I don't know if that's necessary? Opinion on Clifford vs Offenhauser parts? Any other ideas, or input on performance reliability on this build would be greatly appreciated.