Can you rebuild a splash oiler and get another 90K, quite possibly. And that is what you might like to do. But in terms of getting a little more bang for the buck, the later motors are the ticket I think. They are in fact the last evolution of the 235 that Chevrolet had been steadily improving with the last improvements coming in 59 or so. Its a hard call I know. Maybe the better question is going down the road a few years, which motor will be easier to maintain and get parts for, which will work better for your needs. I dont think there is a wrong answer here. Your gut will tell which way to go.
You make a good point here. My gut tells me to rebuild my spray oiler. Now whether that's a stock rebuild or do something like Jerry's talked about with a larger bore and longer connecting rods, etc...I haven't decided yet. I don't know if a spray oiler would be a good candidate for that, simply because of the extra stress placed on the bearings and lack of full pressure lubrication.
Question for anyone: Is it true that Oldsmobile/Buick/Cadillac engines of the same time frame had pressure-lubricated rods?
