Hi guys, good to see all the old names here!
My SBF is 418ci, idles tuff, doesn't overheat, runs on pump fuel, and probably gets good economy (I don't have a fuel guage, but it gets better than I expect.)
It runs 11.1 on the 1/4, off the foot brake, Street Radial tyres, full exhaust, in full street trim, minus aircleaner.
I've driven it thru the city, to canberra, all without overheating. It runs 3.5 diff gears, so still cruises OK.
If I had your choices, between a 418ci Ford Stroker, a 460ci Big Block, a 460ci Dart Stroker Small Block, I'd choose option D or E, 550odd ci Ford Big Block Stroker, or 600+ci Ford Motorsport Big Block Stroker.
If your leaving the big block standard cubes, then build the 460ci Dart or the 418ci Windsor.
An Aussie built C4 will handle the 418ci (mine does) but don't try an american built one. You'd need the C6 to handle the torque from 460+ cubes, or a real expensive C4.
You'd want a 9" for any of these engines, unless you're running stocky 14 x 6 wheels/tyres, for reliability. I ran the stock 8" with 2.8 gears in mine for about a year, but I don't know how long it would have lasted. It was a single spinner, and was torturous on the right rear tyre.