Lots of us have built them. I did one in my '83 F100 4x2...miss it with a passion and would probably give my left....to get it back...well maybe not, but I wouldn't mind having it again.
Anyway back to the subject. It was an easy build. Get the right rods & pistons with that crank and you're set. Just be aware that you can get it set up with stock length 6.605" rods or for 6.8" BBC rods...I recommend the BBC rod setup. I also used the comp cams X4 line...I think it was a 274-292 adv. duration with something like a .570-something lift. IT worked, but the day I switched to a custom ground Cam Research cam (still hydraulic) it picked up what felt like 50+ HP and about that much torque especially down low. Really worked good in that truck. I also used D0VE-C heads, 2.25 intake and 1.75 exhaust valves and mild porting on both the intake and exhaust. Thing ran like a raped ape, pulled anything you wanted to put behind it and it honestly didn't do too bad on gas either...considering it was 512". I think it averaged around 16 mpg with 19 the best with 2.26 rear gears from a Lincoln. Interestingly enough, it also ran it's best drag strip times with those same gears. First and part of 2nd gear only. Crossed the 1/8 mile at the top of 1st gear and 5400 RPM, IIRC.
I would suggest going to a little better camshaft than the 4x4 Comp cam. Call a cam company and ask for the ford guy...cause the chevy guy can't help you with the specific needs of our big intake ports and sorry exhaust ports. A performer RPM intake will work great as well...I used a Weiand at first, switched to a RPM and the truck felt a LOT better especially from 1500-4000. From 4000 on up, the Weiand felt a little stronger, but we're not talking about a true seat-of-the-pants kick...you could just tell that it didn't fall off as fast at 5700 RPM (which is where I shifted) with the 8012 Weiand.
