Thanks for the respones, interest, well wishes, offers of assistance, and info, Guys.
I had forgotten that I asked about removing the broken off block-to-oil line connector. I removed it shortly after asking my question with a gentle removal by means of an Easy Out.
There are several small jobs that I've done which I haven't mentioned, not wanting to bore you Master Mechanics with my small feats. For example, I removed the shank of a bolt that had long ago broken off on a fender-to-grill connection by drilling a hole in the shank with a small bit. I gradually increased the drill bit diameter until I could thread in a tap and clear the threads. It's now perfectly clean and I have trouble not patting myself on the back for a job well done.
While the Blue Funk's frame sits waiting to be towed to the body shop for straightening, I've found a myriad of situations requiring attention: I've straightened a bent cab support, cut through welds attaching remanants of running boards to their supports, removed badly rusted running board-to-support attaching bolts, reattached a running board support that had been broken off at the rivets, and got a rebuilt leaf spring attached to the frame and axle. The leaf spring doesn't match up perfectly, but I'm hoping the frame strightening process will rectify this situation.
While I wait for the necessary parts to reassemble the Blue Funk, I plan to replace the leaking oil seals on the rear axle. It's an area in which I've had little or no experience.
I'm reconsidering an AD truck that the owner is willing to sell in the next town over. If I add up the costs of buying a cab, door, front fender, and left windshield, his selling price of his truck is extremely close to the total costs of the individual items. There's the added benefit of not having to go through all the work and costs of getting the parts to me. And, I would have LOTS of left over parts that could produce a relatively good return. The only down side I can come up with is the fact that I would hve to go through the tasks of removing the needed parts. But having had the experience of removing the parts from the Blue Funk, the task is somewhat inviting.
This is all one heck of a good experience and I am especially appreciative of the Stovebolt site and you Guys.
I plan to keep you all up on my progress.
Thanks again and the best to you all.
