Yeah I agree about not adding up. Also this caught my eye:
"She has a 3 speed tranny (TH350) and will probably out last the truck...solid steel/iron made, and runs on a series of vacuum lines."
Umm, mostly aluminum, and only 1 vacuum line iirc.
I think he lays it on only thick enough for the novice to believe. Anyone that tear through an engine just for maintenance leaks would fix a head gasket for resale value.