"I dread taking it out for fear of it not starting again for me"
Dave, don't despair. Every newly completed restoration/street rod build has a couple of bugs to be worked out when the job is done. It's always something simple but finding that simple bug is the challenge.
Just as an example, when I finished restoring my '36 Chevy pickup in 1976 I took it for a test ride around the neighborhood. Suddenly it stopped and couldn't be driven, pushed, or towed! The master cylinder push rod was adjusted improperly and the compensating port was not opening. This caused the brakes to lock at all four corners.
Once I finally got it home that day and fixed the problem it was fine and has not malfunctioned again to this day.
You WILL figure the problem out.
