While we're on the subject of pilot bushings, they do have a "front" and "rear" side. The side that faces the trans is beveled, while the side that goes into the crankshaft is squared off, or flat. You want the beveled side facing the trans to make it easier to install the trans. This is the beveled side....
 


Also, anyone replacing their pilot bushings need to make SURE the bushings is made of bronze. There are lots of them out there that are more of a steel/composite bushing that are really bad for the trans input shaft. If a magnet will stick to the bushing, run away!! And of course, always test fit the bushing to the input shaft of the trans to make sure it fits properly.....it sux installing a bushing only to discover later that the trans won't fit into it....

 Did almost what you are doing this past fall. I went with 1 piece rms. I purchased a 383 short block that came out of a mid to late 80's truck. You may need another dipstick. The 383 I have is on the passenger side and because of that the pan is different. The early Gen 1 small blocks have dipsticks on drivers side.  Purchased a stock type pan and had no problem. Every thing else interchanged on the small blocks, I opted for newer parts on my engine[ heads, intake, distrib, etc.] because the older parts had wear and in the 37+ years since the car was made, things have improved and been made better, even the metals in some parts.