Sounds like a great engine for the truck to me, but if you're interested in keeping the car together I'm pretty sure you can get a Texas title - might have to pay an attorney a few bucks, but people buy from estates all the time, even estates in other states. Get a bill of sale, and if the wife can find the NM title have her sign it over to you along with a short letter explaining the situation. Start with the DMV and go from there....