I was that in-between tech when I worked for MB. I did their mechanical FI and their newer stuff. (Benz hasnt had a carb since........... you get the point). There were guys coming out of [tech] school a year and two after me that had no idea about mechanical fuel injection, but its not like they taught that in tech school or benz school. (It either works or doesnt, but most of the time its a tuning issue.) It used to grind my gears when I worked on a team of new guys (guys my age or experience level), yet I was given all of the old stuff. It took me a hot minute to realize I got that stuff because I knew my head from a hole in the ground, or my ass depending on which tech we are talking about.
I really want to go LQ9 on this truck. (I want the 9 and not 4 for the lack of compression so I can turbo it easier. Unless I go Duramax... decisions, decisions). But after throwing this truck back together, it is just kind of simple to keep it carbed.