273 small block question

Sounds like it still has life in it. I rebuilt my 273 Commando in the early 90s. In 2013 while the body was undergoing restoration, I pulled it, replaced freeze plugs and had the heads redone. I also installed a new timing set. I fired it up late last year and it's been running fine. The bottom ends of these are pretty robust. How is your oil pressure?

I tend to lean toward keeping the car on the road rather than rebuilding/replacing "just in case"...