1947RBT:
My advice on what engine to throw in there depends upon what you're going to use the truck for.
The 216 is a great little engine. I can work on it. The main drawback is that with the babbited bearings and the splash oiling, you can't rev it over 3000-3500 without blowing something.
The full pressure 235 is also a great little engine. You can wind it out to 4500 without messing anything up, and it's also easy to work on. To swap in a 235, there's not a whole aweful lot that you have to do. It's pretty much, "pull the 216, drop in the 235, wipe hands on pants".
Anything larger (261), GM (228, 248, 302), or newer (230, 250, 292, V8) will have a longer "modification" procedure for the swap. They can (and have) all been done before, and all of the owners who have done the swap seem to like their new engines.
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As Tiny mentioned, if you want a "numbers matching", "completly correct" restoration, then the 216 has to stay.
If you just want to tool around a little bit on weekends, then the 216 should be fine for that, too. A Full Pressure 235 would also work well in that application.
If you're going to drive it every day, then I'd probably throw a 235 (or maybe even a 261 or a 292, if I could get my hands on one) in there. Something a little newer and a little bigger.
I'd stay away from the V8. IIRC, there is a fairly extensive steering mod that is necessary on the AD trucks. Of course, I'm pretty lazy. I don't like doing any more work than necessary.
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Regarding the starter issue:
I am now going to ask some fairly obvious questions... I didn't see the answers above.
What happens if you hand crank it? Is it difficult to crank, or does it move freely?
Is there oil in the crank case?
If yes, when was the last time it was changed?
Is the starter a 12v starter?
