A little backstory: I purchased a 1953 GMC 3100 as a project for a road trip for my wife and I for our 10th anniversary (Summer of 2016). I have some mechanical experience (mostly on motorcycles: '99 ZZR600, '06 ZX6-R, '00 CR250R, '03 XR100, '07 YZF-6. A previous unfinished 1957 Buick Roadmaster 75 project, and lots of DIY maintenance). The truck turned out to have a what I believe to be a 1955 Chevy 235 (.060 over, cracked block), a 1970 K10 differential, and an SM420 transmission. Since deciding to purchase, my wife has decided to stay home with our kids and we have had to cut expenses. I'm trying to get this project on the road, with an acceptable build quality and respectable dependability, as inexpensively as possible. This is meant to be an ongoing project with, possibly, a "shop truck" look.

Now on to the actual problem. On account of the block being cracked, I am looking for suitable swaps and have found the following options:

$1000 for a 235 pulled by a shop in Kerrville, TX (5 hours from me) out of a running truck for a diesel swap.

$125 for a '57-'62 235 that is seized. Unknown mileage or history. I would be able to swap some of my parts over and would hope to be in at around $1300 for a complete rebuild (IF the engine is rebuildable at all. The owner is not allowing me to pull off the head and inspect the cylinders/overbore of the engine).

$150 for a 2001 4.8 Chevy LS with no coils, water pump, or sensors. The computer and harness are available for another $150. I'm also aware of the MSD 6LS carbureted set-up ($700)and weld in motor mounts ($100). This puts the cost at $1100, plus coils, manifolds, and an exhaust. I could also go the fuel injected route and invest the $700 of the MSD system into a tank and pump. I would estimate the cost of this to be in the $1600 range, but I am unfamiliar with this process and would like some feedback on costs I may be overlooking in doing an LS swap. I'm also unsure of the necessity to switch the tank to the bed. If I could run an external pump and keep the tank, that would reduce the total cost by about $400.
I appreciate any input in helping me get this done.

Last edited by Peggy M; 04/28/2024 1:24 PM. Reason: added more info to the title