Thanks for the encouragement and the detailed insight. It makes me feel a bit better to know that there are some good technical resources here so I don't go down the wrong road.
The car is actually a PE, the picture makes it hard to see the two side vents. The engine and frame are matching PEII3534B, the body is 6582, and the serial is 2290029 (Detroit). And no worries, I have no intentions of cutting anything on the body or frame. I think the car has more soul keeping it somewhat original. There have been some modification to it; someone cut up the dash a bit in the past and the fender well spare carriers were cut and filled.
Thanks for the advice on the front suspension. I plan on keeping it and will keep an eye on the lubrication when it is done.
Thanks also for the details on engine and tranny options. Part of me wants to keep the 201 since the numbers match and it runs well. However, I do see the benefit in fitting a later model flathead. If I kept the 201 I would've wanted to go with the Edgy head but it looks like that won't work. I can't imagine those 'Red Heads' being easy to find.
