Thank you all for the wealth of knowledge, I am now more conflicted and thinking about taking the lkq chance, cost wise sounds the best. Covid is running through my house right now so I will be pushing the motor acquisition back a few weeks until we start the mend and have time.
Maybe another idea...check FB and the like for someone selling a beater truck cheap. Yank the motor, pull what parts you need, scrap the body, you'll probably have the motor for almost nothing. And you can drive it before buying.
