Reality Check what engine.

[rich weyand]

Keeping it simple, then keep the stock cam like MikeB says. That will also keep the 3-year warranty intact on that engine. BTW, that engine was $100 more last month, so the price varies around. This is about the lowest I've seen it in the last five years.

Also keeping it simple, get the pre-set-up Qjet from Sean. To the price of any other carb you have to add the price of a good AF/R meter (about $300) so you can tune a stock-out-of-the-box carb to the numbers. But Sean knows what he's doing setting up Qjets to specific engine configurations. There's a wait for an SMI carb, because he will ask you what you are running -- engine, manifold, cam, exhaust system -- and then tune it specifically to your setup. It's not just off-the-shelf.

[Bigstevex4]

Ok reality check again so ime thinking well a stock 454 how much more can that be. Alot more. See a complete one on craigs list for $1400 thinks lost cam bearing. Or Rod main ime wondering. waiting email back. See if it turns over. of corse its on the other side of the state. Just checking think the crate small block is best.

[chuckmc8]

Another option would be to buy a wrecked / rusty truck in the same year family as yours that has a good 350 and swap what you need into your truck and sell the residual.
Cheap and easy once you find the donor. HTH