John, I agree ... but ... We are glad to help and we have plenty of folks around here who can and will. Here's the "But..." part. We are a truck site. granted, the car guys generally aren't as helpful which is why the the originalist car guys like the OP generally find their way here (I'm not going to publicly bash the VCCA but as most around here know, I'm not their biggest fan ... They are NOT a truck organization.)
Yes, it has been a challenge over the years to maintain our focus and our brand. We try to help the car guys in obvious areas of overlap like this which is why we don't run them off. We *will* help. Just not in our main forums
Back to the OP's actual question -- My opinion, FWIW, is that two major factors here drive the obvious answer. Those factors are that by your own admission, a babbit engine is outside your comfort zone and that the engine isn't original to the car anyway. The obvious answer (to me, anyway) is to find a decent 235 to rebuild and go with that -- easier to do, easier to get parts for, easier to live with. 99 percent of the people who look under your hood won't know the difference between a 216, a 235 or a Detroit diesel 6-71 anyway -- they're probably expecting to see a crate LS motor of some sort.
Why mess with a cracked block? You'll never fully trust it. Welcome to the antique vehicle hobby. Now load up the dollar gun, aim it at a 235 and hold the trigger down. You'll be happier in the long run.
As Barney Fife says, "The lessons folks most need to learn in life, ain't fun to learn." Thus, it is generally preferable to learn from others' mistakes.
John M in 'Bama
