One of the motors is on an abandoned well rig just over yonder ---> and all exposed, so I walked over with coffee to look at it. Pretty sure I would have to take the transmission as well, but I think that would be fine if the lengths were the same. It is middle side mounted vs the front side mounts that my truck has, but I cannot swear to the originality of that. The mounts were fabricated. The alternator and oil filter look like they may be in the way if I tried to rig a front mount. People do things like that all the time around here though, so if there was no permanent modifications done to the truck, I bet someone could talk me through it.

My fathers in line six is also from the 60's with the non push button starter. Alternately, he has a 50's era 283 small block floating around somewhere. Not sure on the bolt up of that.

Around these parts, people collect old cars and trucks obsessively, and hate the "gutless pig six cylinders" so odds are good I could find one to at least borrow.

As an update, I dropped the oil pan after the test fire, and another internal diesel bath. There is still some rust sludge turning up at the bottom of the pan, although there is a lot less of it, and it is finer than the first few times.

The new plan is to continue flushing with diesel until no more particles. My uncle wants to actually start it with only diesel in it, this makes me decidedly nervous, any thoughts?

If we don't kill the motor doing this, and can stop the particles, I will put it back together, again, and run compression tests on the cylinders. That will go a long way to deciding about the rebuild. The motor insides look all shiny and new now, so I feel like I am making progress.

On a side note, I have a rare, vintage, original issue 1959 upper radiator hose for sale. Only serious offers please.

1959 Chevy Viking. Belonged to my Great Grandfather