[truckster]

If you have no idea of how many miles it has on it, run a compression and leak-down test. You could also bore scope the cylinders to see what their condition is. And if you want a quick and cheap check of the bottom end, use Plastigauge.

If you don't want a street monster, why go with headers? For that matter, with a stock crate motor an aluminum intake might not gain you enough to make it worthwhile.