John, you remember the scripture, "wise as serpents, as harmless as doves..." don't you?
The fella seemed to be thrilled to get that much money for all those issues.
Reminds me of the time one of the local hot rodders around here had an old 292 "taking up space in his garage". A mutual friend told me about it, knowing that I was in to Y blocks. I went over to the hot rodder's garage, listened to the whining about the engine taking up space, being in the way, etc. I asked him how much he wanted...he said "I am so tired of this thing, and those old Y blocks aren't worth anything, why don't you just get it out of here - don't pay me nuthin'."
I smiled, knelt down and looked it over - and EDB block, from carb to pan, G heads, hi-ratio rockers, etc. I looked over at him again and said are you sure? (being a "sbf and sbc only" kind of guy, he glanced over at me like I was crazy)
The next week, I was backing up the truck to his door, helping him load the free Y onto the bed. I offered him money again, he wouldn't take it, looking like he was sorry for me and all, but I did give him a copy of and old HOT ROD magazine from 1956 that I had - he just thanked me and waved...
I don't remember my facial expression, but it had to look something like this...
Dan
Daniel JessupLancaster, California
aka "The Hot Rod Reverend" 
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com