Hey Bob.....Dont think you will see me post this much...but if thats and original you need to sell it or leave it alone. Not many of the real deal in that model. Thats a pretty nice peice . You should be able to find a 2 wd pick-up pretty cheap and play with that one. I will pretty much rod anything ..but that one is even a little to pretty for me to mess with LOL You have to do some cutting and moving the steering box to make the v-8 fit. I dont think you will gain anything but 2 spark plugs. The 235 with all the gear that has can about do anything a v-8 will do. If its because you want to drive it more ,,,the gears would have to go not the motor. NICE TRUCK!!