So many good engine combinations, Tech has a reference you should look at. Pick your horsepower and match it with your checkbook.... Hopefully he'll see your post and put the link on here.....

Anyway, IMO the engine should not be your first consideration on a complete build....When you're considering a 35 or 40 year old pickup, there are a lot of things to consider including brakes, suspension, body mods, etc. There is so much more to a quality build then just dropping in horsepower. It's good to have an idea in mind of the horsepower figure you are wanting, then start planning a chassis that will best put this power to the ground and handle good, too. All the horsepower in the world is useless unless the rest of the combination is up to applying it....