Yes take him under your wing and show him the old school method, lead him not into temptation as to learn newer techniques yet keep him into the 8 to 10 mpg bracket., that should be great for his pockets as well.
Is the old school method to get the car running before a driveshaft gets built or is it to have one built after the engine, trans and rear is in it. As an old man that I am and its been so long since I've thought of using low technology that I've simply forgot the practices of car building. As least I still have 2 - 340 short blocks I'm considering making into cocktail tables for my museum