[1crosscut]

Pulling the engine out and giving it a good once over is a very good idea.
If your compression is good and the cylinder walls aren't all buggered up that is a plus.
It sounds like you want to make sure things are right and the only way to do this is to disassemble the engine completely. If you don't already have it get Les Andrews Mechanics Handbook (the red one) It will help a lot.
Take lots and lots of pictures as you go. Even ones that you just don't think could be helpful. Some of those pictures have ended up saving my bacon.
Be dang sure to mark your bearing caps, rod caps, shim packs and pistons to make sure you match them back to the way they were before you took it apart.
Lots of folks here to guide you through this.