Kevin,
I faced that same decision when I restored my '39. My engine was shot and needed to be rebuilt anyway. I really wanted a stock truck and I was able to find a local engine rebuilder who was experienced with babbitted engines. Like you, I didn't need a power house and I wasn't going to drive it much, so the decision to stay original down to the poured babbitt was pretty easy. I didn't regret it! The engine ran great (still does, last I heard from its new owner) and it was cool seeing 15 lbs of pressure and knowing that was correct!
Sure, you could pay the money and get the engine modified to accept insert bearings (and even make a full pressure motor out of it) without changing the exterior appearance, but for me, there is a certain satisfaction in running a splash oiler/dipper/whatever you want to call it. I think they sound better, too!
I'm running the original splasher in my '49 1-Ton now and love it, too. Sounds like a sewing machine when it idles. It won't stand up to redlight drag races but you shouldn't be doing that with your truck anyway.
For whatever its worth!
Regards,
John
