[Lynn Eades]

Jason, If it was up to me, I'd ditch it, and go for a 3 3/16" bore 24 stud motor. They are all expensive to do up, and the higher H.P. motor will cost about the same money (you get more bang for your buck!). There is a lot of info available on the net and in various recon books. Have a hunt around on the net and learn what you can before you spend any $$. Some of the U.S parts companies have some very good info on their sites.
If your motor is british (relatively speaking they are not common) the ring gear and starter are not interchangeable with the U.S. or Canadian motors. There will be other things as well.
There are no dumb questions, and there are some pretty clued up people on this forum (they just don't speak up as quick as me) Tony Smith is one local who knows his way around the FHV8.
Good luck.