First, most aftermarket stuff is going to fit a crate motor no problem.
Second, rebuild kits come in different levels. Basic kits may just include new bearings and seals, on up to complete kits that include new pistons and rods.
You will still want to have the block cleaned and bored. You can do this yourself, but due to your experience level and probable lack of tools, leave this to a machine shop. Last I checked a few years ago, it was about 15-20 buck per cylinder, so about 150 bucks or so.
You will probably want to recondition the head will you are at it.
Here are your options as I see them:
1. Buy new car and sell old one. Easiest route but may just be getting into different problems.
2. Pull heads and install new gaskets. Install new cam while you have it apart. Relatively cheap but you would still have a high mileage motor which may be needing fresh rings and bearings.
3. Complete rebuild. If you do the work yourself (with help) this may still be relatively cheap. You would have a fresh motor and good place to start adding performance. Make sure you have someone who can successfully help you do this work.
4. Have a shop rebuild motor. This is going to cost you but at least you would have a warrantee.
5. Buy a complete used motor, from intake to pan. Since you are in GA, check out Mustang Parts Specialties. ( I am not saying I recommend them, just check them out) They usually have complete 94/95 engine assemblies for around 700-800 bucks. This will make it a pretty easy swap, just a matter of unplugging everything, dropping in the motor and plugging everything back in. But in the end you still have a used stock motor.
6. Buy a good new short block (engine without heads and accessories), and swap over everything from your motor. Cost more than a used motor but it will be new except for heads. Again, your heads may need to be rebuilt also.
7. Buy good long block crate motor (engine with heads installed) and swap over rest of your stock components. Cost more than short block but will be all new except intake and accessories.
8. Buy complete new engine assembly, intake to pan. Will be the most expensive option other than having everything done by shop. Like buy complete used motor, will be mostly plug and play.
I am not recommending any one option over another, but given your lack of experience and knowledge, I would probably steer clear of doing a rebuild yourself. You said you had someone to help you with this, so you really need to be asking that person what they think and what they can do. You are also going to need to have the tools available that you will need for this project. I am not trying to discourage you, but I don't want to see you sink a lot of money into this and not be able to do it. In the end it will cost you more to fix your mistakes.
Good luck to you and keep on posting.
