Welcome aboard! With a stable like that, and driving them to boot, I'd hardly call you a newbie. I vote, as usual for the 300 cu in six. I did put a 302 in a '40 1 1/2 ton about 6 years ago and that fits the bill too. A lot of folks seem to think they're too gutless, but it depends what you're moving up from. Both of these are a powerhouse in my book! GB