Help with upgrades

[andsonsvd]

Hi All,

I have a 1958 Apache 3100. It is a car that was "restored" in the US and then brought to Australia. It is a nice original style car with just above average paint job. It still runs the standard 6 cyl with 3 on the tree Manual Gearbox.

I am wanting to update the truck, and i'm trying to decide to keep it a standard build or rodded. I would like nice wheels and a big V8 engine but I don't want to waste a nice original type truck.

As I am 6ft7 I struggle a little driving with the standard tank so that is one of the changes I am going to make.

The current instruments don't work well so i'm interested in a Tach Force Cluster calibrated for KPH.

I would like to add a disc brake front end but i'm concerned that if I want to go a V8 in the future will I need to update the original front end to a IFS type?

As Parts are hard to get in Australia for the old 6 cyl i'm thinking a 283 V8 or 350 V8 Auto will be a good upgrade for the future. Can someone please explain the process to upgrade to a 283 (or 350)/T350(or T400). If i Did that upgrade would the standard front end still be ok? i'm not looking for huge horsepower.

Thanks in advance..

Shane