How much power are you shooting for?
I have a '76 440-3 in a motorhome with about 28K miles on it. It's been very reliable over the years and I've never thought it under-powered, even pulling a 16 foot enclosed trailer full of toys. Not quick, but plenty of pull.
Well, I got lucky. Because my truck originally used a "divorced" transfer case, I only needed the case and a front axle. I found a couple of Travelalls in a local wrecker and stripped the transfer case, mounts, and floor shifter out of one of them. It bolted right into my truck. The factory had...
Less $$$ to go 2WD.
I wouldn't worry too much about suspension, brakes are the biggest concern. Lots of times a complete brake system rebuild is necessary if its been sitting a long time. New lines, master cylinder, and wheel cylinders. Sometimes new hard lines and flex lines too. I rescued my...