I guess on a "tight budget" means different things to different people. Does not head porting- even in the mild form add $$$$? To me a nice torquey truck engine on my budget would be good round cyl bores and a piston to give a true 9- 9.5:1 comp. A short block like this with some sound 1.88int 1.60 exh LA heads (hardened seat era) a modern mild Comp extreme energy cam, a Performer (not RPM) or action plus intake, 600cfm carb and dual exhaust w/cheapie headers or even manifolds would be much much better than an oem smog 360 that originally came in that truck- and would not be expensive. The LD340 and Perf RPM would be a waste to use on a truck. These are 6000rpm plus manifolds and would be better suited to hot street/strip rather than towing. Especially considering the rarity and value of the LD340.