I think I would stick with the stock engine as well. If it were mine, I would grab some Simple Green and spray it (on a cold engine) all over and let it sit for a little bit, then I would hose it off and see how it looks. I think with a bit of elbow grease and some products that would clean up really nice. And as you know, you don't see too many like yours so (to me) keeping it stock(ish) would be the direction I would go.
Besides-anyone can put an LS engine in a truck
