Keeping it original is the simplest thing to do; I am doing the same thing to a 49 3/4 ton. Keep up or go over the brakes peridocally. The wheel cylinders tend to gunk up over the years. I am running a 216 engine and at times do some heavy work with it. It is a good engine; just not the best for freeway speeds. I just replaced every seal, bearing and bushing from the back of the transmission to the axle flanges. The garage floor is a lot cleaner now.
