Jeff, it has been a fantastic thread. Thank you for sharing with us, and taking the time to provide so much detail. I have learned a lot, and I'm sure I will refer to this thread in the future.

Don't smell it and waste it
When you can burp it and taste it

Wow, is that a factory color?

Thanks Howard! That's the plan! I was thinking about using motorcycle chain lube- I think it may have a bit more "staying power", so to speak.

Well Gents, I've been playing with the linkages every day this week, and I've used about half a can of PB, and it paid off! I can now shift through all gears! Woot!

Well, I made some progress with the linkage last night... I think? From the engine compartment side, I can put it in any gear. If I go between 2nd and 3rd, the shifter moves in the car. But not when I go between 1st and reverse. And I can put it in reverse, and shift to first from inside the car - but then I can't shift back into reverse. And if I put it in 2nd or 3rd, I can shift between those two gears from inside the car, but if I shift into first, I can't get it back to 2nd/3rd. So I am thinking the "selector" is still a bit gummed up, and not allowing the selector spring to do its job...does that sound about right?

Thank you for the info, Jeff. Sounds like a lot of work!

Howard, thank you for the tutorial!

Mal, thank you for adding the picture - my multiple attempts at doing so last night were unsuccessful for some reason.

Howard, as always, thank you you kindly for the information! How difficult was the dis - and re-assembly? Any tricks required, other than PB Blaster? Special tools or the like?

Thanks, Howard! I could only speculate on how the fuel tank got that bad. There was definitely evidence it had been messed with before. I could also only speculate which product would best prevent it - but I'm eager to hear what you decide on. From my research so far, I'm leaning toward the POR15 product.

The car definitely photographs well - the phrase, "good from far, but far from good" comes to mind, haha. Most of the chrome has pitting/fading, the drivers side fender trim is creased, the paint is cracking and chipping, windows bubbling, a rip on the drivers door panel, etc. Not complaining, mind you! I'm greatful to have it in its current condition! It will certainly suit my intended use perfectly - which is to take my girls for icecream on Sunday afternoons, and the occasional cruise-in. Of course a thorough detailing and wax won't hurt, either!

Some observations from the drive:

Handling is all over the place - the car likes to wander. I'll have to get underneath and determine what is needed, at some point.

Shifting - only after extensive cleaning/degreasing and "pb blasting" was I able to get the car OUT of first gear, again for the first time since I've owned it. This is great since I can now let the car idle and not have to be in it...but I need the other gears as well! I've read the documented issues with the shift linkages, and the miracle of oil in that shifter housing hole. Should I continue to PB Blast it every few days, and see if it frees up? At what point should I take it apart and clean it? The rest of the links seem to have a LOT of play, as well.

Brakes were very weak, as would be expected. I'll have to go through those.

After warm-up, the ammeter dances WILDLY across the entire gauge. Any thoughts here? Yesterday was my first time seeing this, previously it seemed to work correctly.

SMOKING! - Only after warm-up. Previously, I thought this was just old oil burning off the exhaust manifold. However, now that I can put the car in neutral and observe the engine running, I can see that the exhaust manifold leaks, and it's exhaust smoke that I'm seeing. Why would it only smoke once it's warm, that seems odd to me? (Thinking "aloud" - As I type this, I recall that the smoke seems fairly white in color - possibly a crack the block or head gasket that only leaks water by once the cooling system has built pressure? Uh-oh...)

Noise - the motor makes a clackity-clack noise, almost sounds like a diesel. Lifter? valve? The exhaust leak?

As always, I welcome feedback and suggestions!