I've been thinking about pulling the 350 and installing a 454 in my '75. I'm interested in what year block would be suggested (short deck), what heads, intake and oil pan and such. I'm trying to get as much info as I can so as to get as few surprises as possible down the road. Since I'm retired, I'll do all the engine assembly myself with the exception of the machine work. I've rebuilt more than a few engines so doing something like this doesn't scare me. Oh, by the way, I'm cheap, so a crate motor is not in my future.

Best bet would be to find a complete engine out of a '70-'74 Corvette, with all the brackets and such still on it. That way, you'll have all the ancillary stuff you'll need to go from small to large. 
You'll need a larger front stabilizer bar, as well installing a rear bar, unless yours has the Gymkhana suspension, in which case it would already have a small bar. You'll also need to upgrade the front coil springs to handle the extra weight....unless you find an aluminuminum block/heads....
For a street engine, oval port heads should be fine. If ya wanna go racing, and very little street driving, go square port and big cam.
I'd really like to put a big block in my '74 someday, but just don't wanna go thru all the hassle of changing all the other crap involved....I'd rather just buy one already installed....I'm lazy.....