Matt167 & drg84 - Yea, that is/was our intent. Either rebuild what we got or find another engine. A rebuilt engine is a little expensive. I'm trying to convince my wife (it is her wheels) that we should buy an old junker with a decent engine and put our engine on the stand and rebuild a little at a time - plus we got our own MBZ junkyard for parts. The "302" idea just seems cool,especially against a 5000.00 rebuit and install. I'm a prev hot rodder (my love was my '70 chevelle malibu BUT was ordered new with SS "stuff" (Muncie 4sp, buckets, factory guages, 12bolt rear,etc). But, honestly, the diesel with the injection junk along with the MBZ vacuum stuff??????? A little intimidating. So, I had heard that swithing to the Ford V8 was not too bad and there was a kit that really helped make the swap do-able. Now I think it would be more project than what it is worth.
So, more than likely, we will find a used engine or junk car to work with.
What's wrong with my engine? Our son checked and added oil and did not put the cap back on. The next day my wife called me and said there was a puddle of oil under the car and that the cap was gone. She keeps oil in the car. I told her to add oil and go to a parts store and buy a generic cap (Help!). Well, the clerk could not think independently of the computer and told her they did not have anything that would work. It is just a plain two pronged cap that goes in the slots and turns! So, I told her to put a cloth in the hole and go to work, that evening we would fix it. Well, the cloth (MY MISTAKE) was too close to the overhead cam and was drawn in the engine and quikly starved something(s) of oil. The chain is broke, it was squealing like a stuck pig B4 it died.
WHEW!!!
It is a beautiful old car, and my wife's heart is broken. We bought the car from the original owner for a grand!
So, to finally sum up - Yea I think we will go back with a diesel and keep "original" as possible.
Thank-you to all those reading and helping!!!!