I came in late on this one, but I think you have gone the right route. Dogdays idea was good too (318 out of '85 or newer..). I would NEVER have spent the money on the 5.7 route for a sixteen year old. AND, you're having him work on the truck. PERFECT! I like others here was working on cars before I could drive them and had a passion in me. I was born with it because no dad to instill it. Paid for my own '67 D150 ($150), rusted out POS, poly 318, 3 on the tree, sitting rotting in someone's back yard. Anyway, I'd still think that 340 you mentioned is a good buy if it was stored properly.

I'm so glad you didn't scrap the Ramcharger! Any year RC is a collectible. I'm working on getting my '79 Power Wagon short bed 360 back on the road btw. I'm in Melbourne Florida.

P.S. Isn't that just like Scratchinfortraction to offer up something free to help out! Good guy.