Nice progress!
With the motor out, I'd do the oil pan, valve cover, t-stat housing and replace with metal (if it isn't), and check the coolant stuff in the rear of the motor if it's got it.
The one thing that jumps out at me, if you can, put the intake manifold on before you put the motor into the TI. When I did my head the intake mani was literally the worst part of it, I couldn't get my hands/any tools on the back couple nuts, and it took me forever. Pretty sure I'm still missing one of the rearmost ones too
