ok just checked back in on this after a week or 2 and realized it's still not resolved as to go for it or not. I had figured that a newer truck with a 5.3 or 6.0 ls would be more reliable than a k5 or k10 with a 305 or 350 but vile Zambonie says otherwise. it seems that with my budget a k5 or k10 could be a money pit, or it could be a good project. so I figured I will make a poll and use that to help decide.