My old Cummins 5.9L 12 valve (all mechanical) in my 97 was probably the best engine I ever had.
Supper strong and easy to upgrade. But yeah, the truck rotted away around it after 10 years.
Sold it to a neighbors kid when they move to North Carolina and last I heard a farmer bought it and the engine now lives on as a irrigation pump motor.
The Hot Rod guys put one in a 73 Dodge and did some upgrades to give massive torque and great burnouts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B34LTUqdgHo&index=3&list=PLGvTvFzdMg_PbG7_1TPiABMmItllqqFbb