First update to the thread and truck in a while. I've been getting a larger and larger puddle of coolant (water at this point) after driving around. So this weekend, we finally put on a new water pump. I guess 50 years was too much for the seals on the old one.
Picked up a ACDelco pump and painted. I had previously ordered new radiator and heater hoses in anticipation of finally swapping them out. The factory lower hose was hard as a rock. New thermostat and painted housing. Nothing like putting lipstick on a pig... Gave the Little Red Cool Bus a wash for the kids' first day today.
Finally, a question for those who care to share. The engine in the truck is original to the truck with only 55k on it. It's long been an eyesore for me as it's the only area mostly untouched. We've added HEI and an internally regulated alternator, so it's not 100% original/stock. I've also been debating adding a cam. While out running it after the water pump, Dad was doing some 4bbl tweaking and flipped the intake lid. While not a new trick, it does lend itself to running better with a round intake. All of these things push it further and further from factory/stock, which the truck isn't really either at this point. I really want to get the engine bay looking better (painted engine and accessories, cleaned up wiring, etc).
So, the question: Do I try to keep everything under the hood as stock looking as I can (knowing this truck will never win a concourse) due to the low mileage of the entire setup, or start finally making the engine match the rest of the truck (not stock, more fun)? Would these minor changes, in your opinion, push it out of the "stock" class at a car show (not that I'm worried about winning, but don't want to upset those in the stock class that truly dedicate their trucks to factory-like)?