POS or diamond in the rough?

[68Blu]

Looking for some prospective from people more experienced than me... This is a long one...

After searching for 18 months we bought a 1968 C10 in June. Yes, we were those people who bought a truck online. HOWEVER, we had it inspected by 2 different guys, so thought we were being cautious and as smart as we could be. So 4 months later we have driven the truck less than a half dozen times because its been in the shop for the last 3. The “show quality” “full resto” truck we were sold, of course, is not what we got. She looks great but was just thrown together under the hood. It currently has a 283 with 327 intake and Holley carb. The block is out of a 1961 Impala and will need to be replaced soon. The list of stuff we’ve had to have corrected is quite long, be patient.

* Carbs rejetted
* Speedo connected
* Installed transmission lock up kit to the 700r4
* PO installed the 700r4 but left the clutch and linkage- removed
* Throttle linkage corrected
* Installed electronic fans
* Installed new (larger) alternator
* Installed new seatbelts because you know- the law
* Installed new master cylinder
* Removed old and installed new brake lines
* Upgraded to Lokar gas and brake pedals (old brake pedal was 2 ft off the floor)
* Adjusted shifter
* Replaced steering column spring
* Installed new brake light switch
* Added coolant overflow
* Replaced headlights
* Installed headlight relay
* Fabricated and installed firewall patches
* Changed speedometer drive gear
* Replaced transmission solenoid
* New battery (it died in the 1st week we had the truck)
* New exhaust
* Had to remove the mouse nests in the kick vents

Mind you, this truck came with NOTHING but the pink and keys. I sure I’m forgetting something but you get the just of it. There’s the bad.

The body is in great shape with minimal rust- as in next to none. I found 1 small spot (less than dime size) on the driver rocker. The paint is peeling in the bed.

We’ve been told by 3 different shops that we’re lucky the underside is 100% rust free, painted, and in pristine condition.

So, after dropping too much $$$ into it (I’m sure you know) do we cut and run- suck up the loss? Or do we drop a 350 in it and keep it for a year or 2? Any thoughts/ advise (aside from “You stupid ***”) would be appreciated.