On Sun, 21 Nov 2010 08:36:07 -0500, "Wild_Bill"
wrote:

I would consider taking very good care of that engine, if I had it
(regardless of what happens to the truck over time). There is most likely
some info available as to whether the specific type of heads are original
equipment for the year of manufacture (I know that info was available in the
60s and 70s).
It doesn't look like a gem now, but it could be worth preserving.

As an investment, it's probably going to appreciate nicely as the boys get
older.
As long as it's not burning a lot of oil or has any loud mechanical wear
faults, it's probably better (value-wise) to not even perform any
unneccessary repairs, or modify it's present condition.

Perhaps most importantly, I'd keep a good air filter on it, followed by
clean oil and gas, and also protected coolant in a cold-season climate.

If you would happen to stumble upon a fuel injection setup of the same
vintage (or original NOS parts, valve covers etc), it would probably be best
to keep it as an option for future use (rebuild or overhaul time), but not
to just install it for the cool factor.

Maybe the only thing I'd consider eventually, would be to try to pressure
wash the flat black paint off, or maybe even try baking soda blasting, to
get back down to the original orange paint, and possibly touch up some rust
spots.

The truck body looks to be fairly solid from a distance, but that hole in
the windshield post seems like an odd place for a rust hole, if that's what
it is (just to the left of the dash knob marked C.. choke? looks more like a
cigarette lighter).


Not out of the ordinary to rust there - there is another peice of
steel spotwelded in right about there, and it formed a rust trap,
particularly if the indsheild seal leaked.
I believe the compression of the fuel/air mixture enhances it's
combustibility, and the slightly heated head/cylinder surfaces.. even if the
old stuff may be a little slow burning. Octane rating: maybe 10?