In the meantime while all that was going down I've been collecting parts.
Found a 6BT cummins with the VE pump for a steal, so I picked that up and got it all cleaned up, regasketed and painted. Fired it up for the first time last week and seems to run excellent with no blowby or initial problems!
Then a week later I came across an NV4500 that came with a brand new south bend clutch and flywheel
Then I found a complete intercooler setup with an HX35 as well as bellhousing adapter for the nv4500
Thats about up to date for now. On the short list of things to do is Brakes on both axles, brake lines. Change the fuel setup for the diesel pickup. Put the lift springs in the front after I mock the engine up.