Hey there folks. I've been reading the archives for a week or two this place is a goldmine.
I've learned a lot but my situation is at a fork in the road, I'm hoping for some more knowledgeable opinions on some things.
Building a frame off restified AD, muttly lineage but the frame is a 48, panels, cab, bed and drive line are scrounged from assorted ADs. I was gifted with a 73 250 that in teardown looks to be in good shape and was happy with that. It needs new intake manifold and headers, carb starter, coil etc. I was happy with that, I have a thing for L6s. I knew I'd need a transmission and rearend with the 250 and that was fine since I had no 216 or 235 and $0 is a good price. Now I have a chance to get a Pontiac 350 V8 with a 4 speed transmission on the cheap (~$150) from a friend. I don't know much about the motor and trans yet but it might need a rebuild. The bent 8 is complete with manifold, headers and a Holley carb; plus the four speed manual transmission.
What I need is an unbiased opinion. I want the 6 but feel the 8 may be the way I should go. I'm putting in a MustangII IFS because I want disc breaks and the cost increase for kits between just disc upgrades and disc w/ IFS was close enough for me to say OK.
My needs for the truck as it's being worked on and when it's done:
1. Reliability - daily driver when done it's going to drive to Alaska from northern Illinois
2. Cost- so far I have no cash invested and need to keep my final cost as low as I can
3. the ability to still be a truck- this will mostly be a cruiser but I want to occasionally load the bed with lumber, bricks, dirt, whatever. I know my rearend choice will have an effect here just as much as what's up front but.
4. mileage- I hope to get mileage closer to 20mpg than 10, but if I have to sacrifice one of the 4 this would be it.
Sorry for the HUGE post but when I get a lot on my mind it tends to come out all at once. I'm new to this, but have a friend helping and he has restored a few vettes but he's not a lot of help with the truck- Anything you folks have to say will be appreciated- even if it's just not to type so much :o
