ARF 180cc or 195cc heads are around $2100 for a pair, (from their website) what's a valve job with seats, guides & cc'd for older heads go for? Might not be that much more
I am a fan of a gear vendors overdrive unit, I have one on a '54 1 ton with a TH400 and 4.10's. They are expensive, it may be cheaper than a 700R4 built for towing or a 4L60e with a controller.
Mine would do the same. When I loosened the fuel cap and parked down hill it would not loose prime. Turned out to be the "cold start" advance on the injector pump. Your results may differ.
A few ago I had doors and a nose/grille section for my '37 shipped by greyhound bus from CA to MA. I had to pick them up at the terminal. Don't recall how much the shipping was, but must have been cheap (because I am).
When I've done a fuel pump, I pull the rod out and use some grease to keep it in place. It only costs a little grease and a gasket. Past performance is no guarantee of future success, your results may differ.
I found out the hard way years ago that the valve spring locks' taper (official name) needs to match the taper of the retainer. No telling what has happened in the past or what brand hardware was used if a valve job was done.
Bring two locks and a retainer to a machine shop and see if they can...