Starting my first engine rebuild. I've got a 2.8 out of an '88. Looking for suggestions for parts for ultimate reliability and economy. 1) Is the OE spec cam best for my application, or is there a better one that will not hurt mileage? 2) If the pistons appear fine, is there any need to replace them? 3) The typical wear parts will be replaced(ie, pushrods, rockers, springs, etc). Is there any reason to replace them with something other than OE spec that isn't going to hurt mileage? 4) Any specifics on the best gaskets? 5) If there is no damage, I'm only going to hone the block and heads. Is there a good reason to have a valve job done if the valves do not appear to be bad? Any other things I should take a deeper look at?

u could go with the towing cam for the s10 blazer application.

if the cyls do not need to be bored u can reuse the stock pistons assuming they arent cracked or damaged in anyway.

pushrods and rockers are questionable depending on how much wear they have.though if ur going to change rockers a set of roller/rollertip rockers wont hurt.valve springs and se3als should be replaced.

use a set of victor reinz or felpro gaskets

a valve job is deff a good idea. the valve seat is what makes the valve seal when it is closed,though depending on the condition of valves and seats u can lap tyhem in by hand, but a valve job is a better idea, and typically in exspensive.

on a side note if u look on ebay u can buy reman iron heads very cheap, cheaper then u can get the valve job.springs etc

depending on how/what use you plan to use this motor for really depends on the cam.

If the car is mainly in-town, the truck/blazer cam wouldnt be to bad. More low end torque for stop light to stop light. Will do ok for some highway trips.

If your going to be doing a lot of highway trips, Id suggest staying with camaro cam.

roller rockers for sure.
3.1 crank for the extra torque? But then that would also require new 3.1 pistons.
have a better y-pipe made rather then the "t-pipe".
crank pulley
Main thing is going to be tweaking the prom chip to max efficiency.
msd or hypertech coil, good wires, delco plugs gapped right, brass cap/rotor.

Mainly in town, with periodic long(200+ miles) highway trips.

What would the Y-pipe look like? Would is give the passenger cyl a longer tube before it met with the driver exhaust?

What are the specs on this cam? I can't seem to find much reference to it.

The standard OE spec will do fine?

it would look more like the one that comes with the headers.