[Truely how bad are the 216 motors?]

Bad question to ask someone who uses the original 216 as a daily driver grin

Nothing wrong with them at all ,, if driven within their normal operating capabilities .

I have been running my old truck , and the '39 before it since 1974.

Sure they leak oil , and are not over endowered with power .
But that and other quirks is part of the character of old trucks.

If you want a rig to cruise the freeway at 70mph , then you need a newer truck , or a hotrod .

Sort out what you expect to do with the truck , then decide what will work. cool