Mike
You can buy a brand new motor also. More dollar than a used one but, eh, its new.....
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s ... _950813_-1Or if you want more HP, there are many to choose from.
http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s ... 3_-1_10175I'm thinking also about a long term project, but something completely different. To make a long story short, at Kathy dad place in Quebec there is a 1949 Mercury 4 door in a garage. It's park there since 1963. It's not running, but the body is fairly good, and the frame look good. The interior is trash, some animal make a nest in it or took the seat padding to make one. I took a bunch of pictures of it last November.
I saw some posted on E-Bay in worst shape than this one. I can probably get it for what it will cost me to bring it here. If I decide to get it, I will turn it into a kind of Rat Rod but a nice looking one. No chop top, it need to be comfortable and able to do some long trip. For engine, a 350 ZZ4 (see above link) with a 4 speed Automatic should be good.
We will see what happen....
I really like the Rat Rod thing. I guess it is the antiwaxer in me,or the fact that if I own something will ding, it scratch, let it fall over in the driveway, or something to keep it from being perfect.