[dsraven]

ok, just to be clear, what have you got there for parts? it sounds like you have
-a once complete (when you got it) 49 chevy extra long box truck
-you have stripped down the old truck to sperate parts, but what stage of dissasembly have you gone to? complete cab taken off as an asembly with doors, glass etc still intact, complete front body clip taken off as an assembly, box taken off as an assembly, frame is still together and can be pushed around except for a siezed wheel (not sure why, brakes possibly?)?? do you have some pics of the parts?
a complete running and, just previous to you buying, driving s10 sonoma 4x4? complete with wiring harness and pcm to make all that happen

a couple more questions, to keep the budget reasonable enough to get the frame swap done, would you consider using the v6 that comes with the s10 frame? if going this route with the possible intention of getting the truck driving as soon as possible for the most economical way, you could then gather resources for a v8 swap later on as money permits if you still decide a v8 is what you want after you have driven the v6. using the original engine saves you a bunch of cash for stuff like engine mounts, exhaust set up, fuel system changes, throttle linkages (assuming you can make the s10 pedal and cable work). a v8 swap will also need you to consider how the oil pan will fit around the 4x4 chassis cross member under the engine as well as other stuff just mentioned. the torsion bar suspension would also take up some space under the truck that may make things tight for a v8 swap. but there are also lots of guys who have swapped a v8 into a 4x4 s10. I think, for a first timer frame swapper, possibly doing all the stuff at the same time, with a young family that will also need your time, is a lot to bite off and is sometimes the reason why these things are sold as unfinished projects. usually the seller is not recovering his costs
4x4 s10 has torsion bar front suspnsion where the 2wd version uses coil springs. the 4x4 front wheel bearings require the external section of the c/v axle to be kept and torqued to the propr spec as that is what holds the wheel bearing together. they are not meant to be run without that part of the axle, the same as an old fashioned cup and cone wheel bearing is not meant to be used without the retaining nut on the axle. basically the very end part of the axle that goes through the wheel bearing needs to be used. some guys have machined the "cup" part of the cv joint off of the axle and then it is less intrusive but it is still holding the bearing together. you woll see the big nut at the center of the hub unless you run a wheel with the hub capped
if you haven't been there yet you may try the gmupfitter site, click through to the builders section for s/t trucks and there you will find a lot of dimensional info on all the s10 models. you can compare the axle center line to what your old truck had. bear in mind that sometimes the axle centerline needs to change a bit if the truck is lowered otherwise the wheel looks offset in the fender opening. the frames are different for the 2wd compared to 4x4 models. the turning radius is smaller too. the front section of frame is welded to the rear section about where the drivers foot would be. that weld can be ground off and the frame pulled apart some or pushed together some to get the right wheel base. just to make things 'sellable" when done you may want to consider making a 4x4 into a 2wd and how that may cut down the number of possible buyers later on. it is your truck and I don't mean any offence by that, just saying, stuff eventually gets sold when we are talking young families. priorities change and sometimes money is needed somewhere else so stuff gets sold.
I guess it comes down to what you want the end product to be. if you are looking at the v8 simply for the trailer towing hay hauling capabilities then maybe start with that. when building a project truck like this you really need to have a plan and stick with it. if the budget is tight then more reason to have a plan. start a check list of what you want, make another list of what you have, compare the two, come up with a list of what you need to make it work then decide if you can afford that. I suggest to go over the old truck and evaluate what is going to need repair for the type of driving you want to do. if you want the 4x4 because Alberta winters get cold and snowy then you really need to look at the things that also fit the cold and snowy theme. heater, defrost system, windshield wipers, door seals, window seals, other areas where leaks can happen.
anyway, if we know the outcome you are looking for we could suggest different routes. old patina'd, fire breathing, tire smokin low rider is a diffrent build than a dailyndriver 4x4 Alberta truck.