In that this is your "first one" it may be best for you to buy as complete an engine as you can afford. Get as close as you can to just having a true turn-key. I'd ditch the fuel injection and go with a carb -but that's just me as I'm an old school guy.

Depending on what your funds are, there are some real deals on small blocks with roller cams that come complete pan to carb requiring very little effort to have in your truck and running. These engines have been test fired and do not need any special oil additives as they're roller cams - eliminating the potential issues with flat tappets.

This one looks pretty good to me: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hp...make/chevrolet 350 horse and you and a buddy could have it in and running in a day!