ftyler: Here is a voice of reason. Example; we run our stock car dirt track on open end headers, pull the heads the last 3 yrs and have not seen one bit of trouble out of our 350 running high RPM's maybe we're lucky I don't know but everybody does the same thing.
New motor I would be concerned because of the seat time, also you said it smokes a little, you'll have to clean motor when you get home baked on oil not easy to remove if the motor freshly painted. If you feel good about motor go for it if not do as above. Rent trailer or get buddy and get it home! popcorn The Truth is Out There (Good luck and let us know)
