Progress
Per Gary's instructions I tested the play on the rods and pulled the cam cover off to check for metal bits. The front rod had a bit of play, but the telltale rubbing on the back of the neck was non-existent. Both were in great shape and looked to be well within tolerance.
Taking of the cam cover I examined the oil collection grate and found it to be completely metal free. I ran a magnet over some of the oil just to see what I could find and was pleased to not have attracted any loose metal fragments.
The case itself looked solid and crack free.
All together, it looks like I can probably get away with not doing a bottom end re-build. Great news since that pretty much saves me a ton of money.