Speedy, I understand your feelings about cheating.
I get a lot of pressure from guys I know to do "X" because no one will know or other guys are doing it.
Not to make this sound disrespectful but I kind of have the following approach when dealing with Police or BS Inspections.
Don't lie but use a don't ask don't tell kind of policy.
Although a Police Officer asked me how fast I was going once. I said about 80.
He said I was going 78.
I said okay so I was going about 80.
He again said I was going 78. Then asked if I knew the speed limit.
I thought it was 70. Turns out I was in a 55. I still swear all this happened feet from a 65 MPH sign.
Either way, he gave me a warning. Probably because I didn't lie to him.
Regarding dead motors, how much is a rebuild kit for a 4.6? The old 5.0s are cheap to rebuild.
We fixed our Nissan motor. It cost a few hundred bucks to replace our rings and bearings. That's more than some junk yards but less than many others. We know what we've got though.
As others have said, I can often times find complete cars for less than I can find just a few of the parts.
That's how our Field of Dreams was born, Foxworthy would be proud.
Troy
#35 LRE
1973 Datsun 240Z