And just so I am clear here...a 2506 cast/stamped RA block..31 heads, carb, manifolds, crank, RA specific items.....pieced together, he would be looking at $12-15k...RAII, upwards of 25k...just for the engine.

Now factoring in the resto costs, lets play with $15k for that...add in 41k for the car, 15k for the engine...2k for an M-21..

$73k

When all said and done, the value of it, when done, 0 miles...$48-55k.

Now think on terms of an HO with non original engine and trans...do the same thing..you'd be lucky to get half of what you paid to restore as it's only an HO.

Yes, you are doing something you love, it's fun to collect and piece on your time and your dime...but realistically, it's better to find the whole enchilada..