Mopar 318 overhaul

I've just got a new toy. It looks like a M37, and the glove box dta plates confirm this:
Truck, cargo, 3/4 ton, M37, W/NW
8001461
11-8-51
T245
Ord stock 6 795621
The top half cab of the cab seems to be fiberglass, most of the cab and front sheetmetal may be restorable, the bed is probably beyond repair but the weirdest bit (to me..) is the engine. I was told it was a tractor engine from a Fordson Major Diesel, but I can't tell if that means this is a Ford (Dagenham, UK) or a Perkins engine. Some handwriting on the valve cover suggests it'll hold 7.62 litres of oil (including filter) which translates to 8 quarts. It has a valve lifter, and a Simms inline fuelpump. Can anyone positively identify this engine, and/or tell me if this engine is any good/worth restoring ? The Fordson Major tractor which supposedly donated its engine was sold/rebadged as a Ford 5000 tractor in the US.. The number on the cylinder block, just below the cylinderhead, on the passengerside, near cylinder #1 reads: 08 B 779127. The number on the Simms inline fuel pump reads: R-4596. I fear that with 60 hp at best, and max. rpm in the 2000-2500 range it will be grossly underpowered, and because of the low rpms, possibly have a max. speed of 30 miles, which means I may start looking for a modern Perkins, which will have to be "bell-housing-compatible" with this one, if this indeed IS a Perkins P6... I'll probably also need an OverDrive gearbox..

All pics are 320x240 pixels. By clicking on them you'll get 800x600 magnification, and should you feel a need to have a look at the originals of 1600x1200 of about 500kB a piece, please drop me an email.

Gearshift lever with "flipper", which is NOT a gearsplitter, but rather a de-blocking device for reverse. This apparently is not a standard Dodge item, nor is the shift pattern... Thanks to the people on the powerwagon advertiser board for pointing me in the right direction with this puzzle.

Fordson Super Major Mk.III engine, No. 08B779127 (1962-1963). Bore 100mm x Stroke 115mm. 3610cc. 52hp @ 1600rpm. I should start looking for a Ford 590E Dorset, which, when equipped with a turbo, is a 130 hp 6 cylinder, which should mate to the same gearbox. I'd also need an overdrive unit :-). On the other hand.. a F*rd motor in a Dodge ???.. :-)

Looking at the rear of the gearbox, from the passenger side

Looking at the rear of the gearbox, from the transfercase

looking towards the bell-housing with the half exposed clutch, from the rear/below/

looking towards the front differential (passenger-side), along the front propshaft

looking up into the bell-housing from below. The engine is towards the left, gearbox to the right

looking into the bell-housing from the passenger side, just above the front propshaft. Here the engine is towards the right, and the gearbox is ont he left.