As always, I was still editing. Sorry. Read again in case. Get a carburetor motor. No computer stuff. Be patient, keep looking at Craigslist every day.

Portland area.
https://portland.craigslist.org/grg/pts/d/lincoln-city-57l-v8-350-complete-motor/6833770246.html

If you don't know much about mechanics and motors, maybe there is nothing bad wrong. Always have to be sure. Check the oil to see if it is milky or brown or too full. If it's normal then maybe you don't have a bad gasket. Check the "knock" with a stethoscope or broom handle to identify where it is coming from. Some "knocks" are just the exhaust manifold leaking or timing/spark knock.

Steamy white smoke can be just condensation because of humidity right now. Thick smoke that does not go away after warm up is maybe gasket leak.

Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn