You can pick up 216s on ebay for a song. I've seen fully rebuilt engines sell for just a couple hundred dollars. Used engines sell real cheap if they sell at all. Transmissions aren't listed as often but don't bring a lot of money when they do sell. The shipping would be expensive. I'm more of a restoration guy instead of a restorod guy so my vote is to restore it.
FYI, if you can figure a way to get it home I have a serviceable 216 out of a '40 car that I'll GIVE you if you want it. You come and get it or you set-up & pay the shipping.
