Welcome to the forum Jason. The way most of us have learned about cars is through trial and error. If you can get some numbers from the engine, preferably the casting number of the block, we should be able to give you some information on what you have. Can you tell me if you have an electronic HEI distributor or the traditional 'points' type? Another way to get a close idea of the year is whether it has center bolt valve covers or if they are bolted to the head around the edges with 4 bolts in each one.
Nowadays, most mechanics are not able to work on the old style points systems... they are totally lost. Used to be that you could walk into a parts house and tell the counter-man that you wanted a set of head gaskets or intake gaskets for a small block Chevrolet and he would walk to the shelf and hand them to you. Now you have to show your big toe-nail and stick your tongue in your left ear to get anything. The counter person wants to know exactly what kind of car you are working on.
A couple of years back, I went into Auto Zone and told them I wanted a set of head gaskets for a 350 Chevy. The guy asked what kind of car it was for. I replied, "it doesn't make any difference, just give me a set for a late 80s engine". He again asked me what kind of car it was for? After he asked me three times I finally, with disgust, told him it was for a 1929 Buick. He got this really puzzled look on his face and pulled out a book to look up what I had asked for to begin with.
The "Parts Professionals" are taught to use the computers to look up applications and without knowing the exact make, model and year, whether it is 2 wheel drive or 4, and what color the upholstery is, they don't have a clue. A lot of them could not put in a spark plug or change a set of points if they had to.
You will find that most anything will fit your small block Chevrolet engine, almost regardless of the year, up to the late 90s. I guess I am showing my age. Anyway, I hope you will stick around and contribute, or just put your .02 cents in from time to time.