Well if you don't want to mess with a computer box for FI, nothing wrong with a 350 carbed motor. There are plenty at low prices. All the motors I bought were from running trucks. Ones I could drive and test for compression, smoke, check and smell fluids, and noise. Been lucky doing it that way. You have to realize that you don't want a 230,000 mile motor so unfortunately they have been rebuilt a few times by who knows who. So check it out good. Sometimes I have to buy the whole truck but actually that turns out to be good for me. You would be surprised at what you will need from it that you don't get with just buying a motor/trans. Little odd brackets and bolts and motor mounts, clamps, wires, connectors, TV cable, tubing, maybe even a cross member. A 327 is OK, a 305 no. Buy a truck that has something else wrong like dented up or rusted. Don't like to buy from a "hot rod" or "rebel war wagon" guy. Don't like motors with cheap chrome bling or old cop cars (sorry Martin).
When I buy the whole thing, I sell all the parts from it. Recoup money. There are 3 times more parts to sell than you think. That's why salvage yards make money. BUT........fighting off the wife is a chore. Gotta have a place to hide it. If you don't want to piece it out, sell the whole carcass with title. When I'm done with parting, some metal salvage guy picks it up for free, especially if I have the title. I sure would try to get a 700r4 if I were you. Don't worry about the shifter, just save up for a Lokar nostalgic shifter. They are nice to have.
Pre 73 has no smog equipment and much more HP. Not easy to find a good one of those. You don't need to have any of that for your era. Some folks know how to retune after smog/pump/equipment removal and you don't need a CAT.
That is a good reason for a crate motor besides the warranty. Some of them are $1800 I think. But need carb and accessories. Automatics are so easy to install and much cheaper to rebuild than manual. Everybody and his brother does it on the side.
So with the parts sell off from the donor vehicle and selling the 235 and tranny, you will come out with a free motor swap and sore knuckles.
I wholeheartedly agree you are doing exactly the right thing with your 62.
