Do I really want to get into this?

I have a 198 Fireball motor in my '60, and agree that parts can be a challenge. For instance, I don't believe it's possible to get a new starter anywhere for this motor, you have to get your bad one rebuilt. BTW, I'm not far from you, Shawn - just north of Lockhart.
I use my jeep for exactly the kind of ranch stuff you have in mind.

Doug

 

The pics that were posted were from a few years ago and the statement about "a little rust but nothing debilitating" was not all together true.........
Convinced him to take 750 but once I saw it I found too many things wrong (transfer case, transmission, serious rust issues not to mention 4 years of water sitting on the #6 piston) to get into it. I'm looking for a project, not a job.......

 

You did the right thing to pass on this Jeep. You'll find a runner for a couple grand.

FWIW, the Buick 215 V8 - which shares a lot of parts with the early V6 engines - was used in Range Rovers beginning in 1970 and for quite a while after that.

 

You can find a good running Jeep with a 4 cyl Hurricane, easy to maintain and good for travelling in your countryside.
It is not too heavy, just put good tires for mud tracks. If your place is dry, it is a very nice car.
The Hurricane engine has nothing complex, just check local regulations, if you can drive such an old car.

If you have to travel on muddy fields, my Audi Quattro Tiptronic is better than my old Jeep ...but never tell this to my Jeep.

 

Sounds like you made the right choice. Keep looking ... you don't necessarily need a really old Jeep for what you describe. Good deals can be had on newer Jeeps, like a 4-cylinder YJ. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Wrangler#YJ_.281987.E2.80.931995.29