Sounds like your bearing question is resolved...I was going to ask "how many times are you going to have to replace the wheel bearings in an antique truck? "
As long as the bearings are properly packed and adjusted, they should last the life of the vehicle...worry about converting to tapered roller when the ball-bearings are no longer available...
You're dead-on about finding that "good parts man"...one who's not afraid of big thick books...they're a rapidly vanishing breed...
Good luck !
