I would suggest seeing if comp makes that cam in a roller cam, as a flat tappet cam is almost impossible to make live with the oil we have available to us. And that goes double in a big block. Even if you decide to go with the flat tappet you will have to buy lifters,"NEVER EVER RE USE LIFTERS". No you do not have to cut the oil pan gasket,self explanatory after you pull the timing cover. You'll need intake gasket set,valve cover gaskets and a timing cover gasket set and a tube of top quality RTV.Also it helps to grind down the inside lip (bottom of cover,oil pan seal lip) of the timing cover to aid in reassembly.