DKA, no snow here in Dallas, just a tiny bit of sleet on Tuesday.
Tomorrow is predicted to be 70, so I made a golf tee time. Winter days in Texas can definitely range 50 degrees in just a few days - getting some good days in January helps make up for the summer heat. But I hate Houston in the summer - HUMIDITY.
Concerning the motor, the 103 bottom end is a tank, you just never hear of one failing it seems. As easy as it is to R&R the cam in these cars, I'd definitely take the chance on the used cam, and decent-looking used rockers/lifters. As I said, it willl give plenty of warning if it's going bad.
If it starts ticking, then you get to make decisions all over again; but if you are at all handy, you can change out a cam on one of these in a couple hours, with one hand behind your back. There are plenty of tutorials here on the forum to walk you through it.

Every time I buy a part for my old '91, I calculate how many days' payment it would be on a new MB. Usually it's waay less than a week's payment.

DG