Although you have a convertible I still think the side plates will work on your car. Mine was an XL hdtp and I don't think they made different "COM Transmissions" just to suit your convertible. They may have changed the shape of the transmission mount but I don't think they put special transmissions with different mounting locations just to suit a convertible.

Although the man's advice and wisdom on FE engines is beneficial I've got to disagree on some things from my experience. The Eagle Crank I got for my 410 build had the knurled main seal finish. I've put over 50K miles on that 410 drag racing (shifting at 5200rpm) and cruising for over 12 years. My oil light came on while driving about 25K miles. I checked it with a manual psi gauge and it read 45psi (hot) at 600 rpm. If there is something wrong with that Eagle Crank you couldn't prove it by me. I started out using 10W30 Valvoline VR1 and still use it after 50K miles. 

If it's a 360 truck FE it will have an inverted 502 on the front drivers end of the block.

I spent over $200 with Damper Doctors in California to get my Balancer rebuilt. They sent me the wrong on and then said they threw my old one away. They finally got me the right style and I couldn't make the car run right. I checked the timing mark and it was 10 degrees retarded at TDC. I bought a new one made in Taiwan from AutoKrafters for $100 and it was perfect. Remember that name "Damper Doctor" and avoid it.

On my Bob weight Card it just has one entry for Piston & Pins. I wouldn't think the same piston from the same manufacture would be that much different. Jay Brown probably said it best.

A person needs more information to figure CR. From what you describe I'd say you'll need rocket fuel for it to run. The Static CR won't tell you much as the Cam will decide the DCR you run. The cam will decide when your valves close to enable compression in the cylinder. DCR stays with the engine through any rpm and is the most valuable tool to decide useable cubic inch of motor and what octane gas you'll have to run to keep it from pinging.

I've got a windage tray in my 410 engine but I don't drag race it anymore. I got one in my 390 and don't drag race it. I really don't think I need them. If you drag race I'd think about leaving it in.

I used the Eagle Crank and Rods in 2014 in a 57 Fairlane's built 410. The crank was good but my engine guy that balanced the engine didn't like the Rods. (He was famous for building rods for exotic engines). He resized them and I drag raced the engine for 4 years shifting at 5000 rpm. I then put the engine in my 63 Galaxie and it still runs great (street only). I wouldn't be afraid to use their crank, especially for street use.