Start with the engine... Then what?

69 American Motors AMX

I haven't found a local shop either via search or through a recommendation to rebuild her 390 power plant.   Ideally, I'd like to go with Edelbrock aluminum heads and manifold with a new performer carburetor.

I did find a shop in South Carolina and in Arizona that I'll be calling soon.   It's strange there is no one local with experience rebuilding an AMC motor.  

If we do the engine and trans then do we need to rework the driveshaft, then do we get into the rear end as well?

While the engine is out - is it the right time to repaint the engine bay and remove and replace everything attached to the engine bay walls?   If paint is in the mix,  should she just go to the body shop for metalwork and a full repaint?

If these domino's fall in that order we go from a $10k engine/trans job to a $20k plus job with a ton of unknowns.

Has anyone been through this with a plan of attack?   

Thanks

AMC Fanatic