One engine that hasn't been considered is the 427. It's on the same block as the 366, 454, 502, etc., and if you can find a "tall block" version, that one was designed as a truck engine. The short-stroke small blocks like the 283 (3" stroke) or 327 (3 1/4" stroke) have to wind up to make much power, so you'll be using that brownie a lot to keep the RPM in a range where it belongs. It's kind of like driving a Detroit Diesel- - - - -keep it running wide open all the time, or get out and push! If you can find a good small block 400, it might be an option (3 3/4" stroke) but they had cooling system issues. If a 292 will fit, you shouldn't have any problem getting a big block V-8 in there.
Jerry
