More updates:
I finally got the old I6 engine out of my heirloom Grandtruck! It had thrown the harmonic balancer wheel while driving down the interstate.
I just had a 1972 350 Blazer engine (fully rebuilt) installed, and a 1986 Corvette 700R4 transmission (fully rebuilt) with Lokar shift linkage.
The old manual steering column has been replaced with a tilt/automatic one rebuilt with NOS parts. Good thing I decided to do this. The old manual one FELL APART in the mechanics hands upon removal.
Here is the drive shaft which I had specially custom-built for this truck. The old one would not have fit, and had worn out parts.
A much better replacement rear bumper than the old junky one! Wish me luck figuring out where the license plate will go now!
More updates to come!