My 63 C10 came stock with a 283 V8, 2 speed Powerglide, and 3.73 rearend. Over the years, I changed the engine several times, but stayed with the V8 (327, 400small block). I also upgraded the Tranny to a TH-400. I didn't think of those changes as compromising, or conforming.
My current 62 C10 came with the inline 6, SM420 4 speed, and 3.90 rearend, but I am still going to a era correct 327 V8. Again, I don't see that as a compromise or as conforming to the crowd. It wasn't a stock option, but the 327 could be had in 1962. If I was to put in a 454 Big Block, now that would be silly, it just wasn't availible in 1962.
I'm not building a stock truck, but I am trying to keep it close to what was availible in 1962. Just my two cents worth.
