'78 F-150 300-6 Swap / Performance Mod

I have a 1978 F-150, (viewable at http://www.superford.org/registry/vehicles/detail.php?id=6355).  The 300-6 that is currently in it has only 30k miles on it, although before I got it the engine hadn't run for eight years.  It runs fine now, but has a hard time sucking fuel from the tank to start, and so you have to prime the carb every time you want to start it.  I was thinking about saving up this summer and buying an injected 300-6 with all the electronics components neccesary, getting an electric fuel pump and a newer carb, or getting a carbureted 302 instead (although that will be more expensive as far as a conversion kit for my 4-speed to hook it up to).  Would it be better to save up for a V8, keep the 300 and get better fuel delivery, or get an injected 300?  Almost all of the adults I have talked to tell me that the 300 will climb better than a V8 due to its "lug power", and will certainly get better gas mileage as this truck will be my daily driver thoughout college.  My friends all tell me to go with the V8.  Which is truly the better decision?  Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.  

I had 2 300 I-6's, one a 78 and one a 84. They were work trucks in a woodlot.

I love the 300 I-6, and I'm a chevy guy!

300-6 is a good engine, but if ur gonna do a V8 swap, i don't know what the cost difference will be but a big block has the same bolt pattern as the 300-6, but if fuel is a concern stay with the 6.  

If you want lug power you can swap a 390 in place of a 300 The bellhousing bolt pattern is the same, you just need a 390 flywheel but i've had a hard time finding high performance 390 parts, plus it's not fuel efficient,  I swapped out a 300 for a 351 Windsor in an 84 with a 4 speed, motor mounts where the same, had to get a bell housing from a junkyard that was from a 351/4speed set up,  it does pretty good turning 38 inch swampers and doesn't get as bad as gas mileage as a big block. If the 300 is still good I'd leave it till it lost power and just get the fuel delivery straightened out. I'm a big fan of the 300 I've never torn one up (yet).