Where do I go from here? (After the engine fire.)

...use por 15 only on surfaces you won't be topcaoting later. Go to an auto paint store...they should have spray bombs of a decent epoxy primer. While there pick up som ospho it will kjill the surface rust and p[ick up some red scotch brites. kepp scrubbing the ospho in with the red scotch brite and let sit a few minutes thenb doi again...keep it wet until all the rust is converted. Then prime. I'd top coat it as well even though teh epoxy is decent enough protection to really seal it up until you gbvet bback for a more permament solution. But before ya do any of that...pull the engine out...and strip all the char-board (used top be tarboard() etc out of your way so you can work on all at once. Don't worry about the wiring...you will just need this:

...Gareth

Your engine longblock is probably still good. Your carb, gen, and dist are junk, though. I've seen a car burnt to the floor and the engine case was still good. Pull the motor, and take care of the rust on the car.

It takes alot of heat to get one going, but when you do, forget putting it out.