I often comment to my wife as we drive the back roads that they were the main highways back when these trucks were new (long before my time though but I still think about it). Washboards, ruts, and very muddy when wet. In the old days there were no car washes around, trucks and cars were hammered, put away wet and filthy and they were rotten in 10 years. We are spoiled these days. No wonder 100,000 miles back then was uncommon. When I worked as an oilfield operator the roads were brutal like the old days and we went through front ends, brakes and suspension like crazy. No vehicle is immune to abuse.
My 216 had a similar problem when I was diagnosing it. Number 4 cylinder low on compression. Took off valve cover...broken rocker. PO along the way had attempted to weld it back together. I haven't changed it out as I replaced the Babbitt pounder with a 261. The other cylinders were all between 100 and 105. She'd be a good used drop in purchase.
