Churning up oil pressure:
If u have a spare distributor then remove gear and use that.

Usualy, one can find an oil gallery plug in the head or high on block. Remove plug. install hose shank. apply vacuum to hose shank. USE Clear tubing so u can see when oil has risen.

Its a little tricky but a good strong vacsource is to use vacuum from another engine. Just besure to disconnect hose real fast BEFORE the running engine suppliingthe vac can suck in much oil.

Using positive valve seals on intakes:
I would NOT run the sheet metal baffles.
If the engine displays any kind of excessive oil consumption then install baffels at later date. Head does NOT have to be removedto R&R baffles.

Bottom line:
If the positive oil seals do not do the job they are supposed to do then the baffels can be installed later.

BUT!!!!! If the positive seals do too good of a job AND the baffels are in place then the valves could starve for oil.

I am assuming u are running the rocker arms that do NOT have the pee hole as early 55 had.

What kind of umbrella seal did u use on exhaust???

Check for dip stick/float interference. Mite have to shorten dip stick about 1/4".

Might also depend on senior vs jr models. On my 56 Executive i had to remove tail shaft housing and exhaust and power unit would still not come off. IIRC i had to loosen the right motor mount to allow the engine to either lift slightly to the right or some issue like that. It was 4 years ago.

At the time it did not occur to me to cut a little off of the shaft but IIRC 1/8 inch from end of shaft in my case would have been plenty to allow clearence to remove the power unit.

Since battery is "not very old" then need to follow HH56's advice. Empty battery and replacce with new acid.

If it were an older battery nearing its last year u could just top it off with acid, ala VX7 product.

This mite be a good study topic.
Double check but iIRC electrolite is only about a 7% acid solution and 93% water. Would have to do some math on that one. Mite not really matter one way or the other. Top it off or dump it out. Mite not matter.

CURious:
Are the cars with the large 4 cyl compressors equiped with TWO evaporators????? As in maybe a front and rear seat evaporator???

Bending or actualy making a new oil filler tube was rather much to do about nothing.

All they needed to do is to mount a filler cap in the valve cover.

Hower, the bent filler tube in the pic is most likely just some stock exhaust pipe length that was pre-bent for some other automotive exhaust application. And they just stuck the filler caap o top of that.

Mounting to left side of engine i prefer. Keeps compressor away from generator and fuel pump for easier service of gen and pump.

ALtho, my 56 Exec is using a 84 toyota compressor which is rather small.

Quote by HH56:
"..... perhaps more
widely available components or less
expensive pieces would be welcome."

YES!!! Most welcome. Retro fitting parts as HH56 decribes in the quote are most welcome and most crucial to ANY restoration or even special or hand built custom made item. Automotive or otherwise.

What is that big red round thing in the upper left quadrant of the picture???

Also, check the spring under the plunger cup of the accelerator pump to be sure it is not damaged and causing the cup to tear. Sounds like u need to find a new supplier or the mechanic installing the accelerator pump is treating it too rough.