Site Move: 301 and 410 combination?

What would keep Google happiest?

[ProTalker]

I'm closing Site B and incorporating a large number of pages into Site A. Whilst I assume the correct procedure is to replace the transferred pages with a 301 redirect to the new page on Site A, and to replace the dead pages with a 410, I'm aware that what seems to be the correct procedure is not always the one which Google likes best. Am I safe to go this way, or does anyone have any better ideas? For example, should I not use a 410 for the dead pages, but use a 301 to a NOINDEXed page explaining to readers what's gone on?

[charlier]

I was wondering about this as well, anyone have any ideas?

[g1smd]

Stuff that you moved: 301

Stuff that is gone: 404 or 410.

Correct.

For the 404 or 410 page, serve a custom page that contains some basic site navigation to get the user on their way to the correct part of the new site.