Hope you are doing well with the health issues. I've had a couple of each one of those too (heart attack and strokes) so know how you feel.

I also understand what you mean about not wanting to immerse yourself in another persons project. There have been times when I have tried to help someone out by doing some mechanical job for them and most times they end up becoming a nightmare and biting you in the end. On your own projects you can accept that problems and additional expenses arise, but that isn't always the case when you are spending another persons money. Both of you end up wondering why you ever got into that mess in the first place.

The other thing Ed, no one is 100% sure what is going on with that engine. The mechanic simply looked at the plugs and proclaimed bad heads. I would do a proper compression check and leakdown test. It could be something much more simple and different. You are also right about the 4.3 not being a gas sipper. The marina I once worked at sold new boats, some with 4.3's in them and customers were always complaining they should have spent a few bucks more for the V8 as theirs wasn't as good on gas as they thought it might be.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

Don