welcome to your new home!
to answer your question, a big bore kit and stroker CAN be a sleeper with a stock head, there really isnt any way to tell without digging in. i dont think anyway someone quote me if im wrong.
for a grand id say you got a grand deal :biggrin: its probley a 4mil drop in stroker crank.
i dont want to tell you you got had, but i trust your buddy knows the "hit" of a stock shee engine so your most likely all good.
as for the jarms, there is no way to replace them fucking ball joints. sucky deal, you can buy replacements with replaceable ball joints. (take it easy on it till you get new ones)
where to go now? get some porting and a new coolhead and your girl will wake right up, really really wake up.
just read my post over, there actually MAY be a stroker plate under your cylinders, that should tell you whats down inside. (unless its a REAL sleeper and the domes have been milled for the pistons)