Oh, it can be a reliable car with some attention.
I think you are doing the right thing for what you want out of the car by leaving basically stock.
My 5.9 Magnum motor is close to stock save for EQ heads a mild cam, headers, carburation and intake.
You can just barely tell it has a non stock cam.
As a general rule the closer to stock a motor is, the more reliable it's going to be.
We have taken my car out of state multiple times without one single issue, and the longest so far was 17 hours one way at 80-90 all the way.
This picture was taken out on Route 66 on the way to California.
P.S. An overdrive is the ticket for trips, as I get 25mpg on the hiway with my 42RH, as where I got 17 with the original 318 and 904.
I also agree that a good cooling system is mandatory, and you pretty much can't beat a good radiator with a shroud and clutched mechanical fan.
I just wish someone made a good Heat/AC kit specific to the 73.
I was over in Laughlin/Bullhead once when it was 110 at night.
The car did ok, but I melted.:D
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