Bills got ya covered on this one Paul. It looks like it was a bare bones work truck. From the artwork it appears that the truck spent it's life on the desert? There isn't a radio, heater, arm rests, right side mirror and the only accessory that I can see from your pictures is the inside rear view mirror, which would have been an accessory back then.
It looks like a 3600 model? That is not the original 216 engine, that engine is a 235, ’54 or later judging by the valve cover. If you post the engine number stamped on the flat right behind the distributor I'm sure someone here can help you identify the year.
I would pull the nipple out of the housing and plug it the same as has been done on the water pump since you don't need it with this truck. That hose is just one more place that could give you trouble down the line.
Looks like you have an almost rust free truck. If it were mine I would do a bunch of clean up, restoring the interior, under hood and under carriage and try to keep the outside and artwork as original as possible. That would make for a real conversation piece.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

Denny G
Sandwich, IL