Budget Build Advice Wanted

[c10seth]

Hey all,

So, a very long story short I'm in need of a different engine for my '71 C-10.

I want to do a "junk yard" build for several reasons:

1) Cheap
2) I want to do all the work myself (Learn)
3) This is only to keep the truck drive-able until I can restore it.

Goal: To have something to reliably drive around. It doesn't need to make 400hp and 400 ft-lb, but that'd be awesome if it did! I was thinking of maybe some new heads and a cam calling it a day.

Budget: About $2000

I was thinking a TBI 5.7L engine and converting to a carburetor for ease and simplicity.

Option 1) buy a junk yard engine and do that best inspection I can to ensure it is a quailty candidate.

Option 2) buy a whole running '93 2WD truck for like $1400 and just transfer the engine and OD transmission out of that.

Option 3) This is where I'd like your input ^_^

Thank you for your time.

Kindest Regards,

Seth

Here's where I started:


Here's where I'm at: