Appreciate the reply/info motor!
I'd think I could do it as I had easy'nuff access to verify that all the nuts were snug while being fully under the car. I've already ordered a gasket kit amongst some other stuff.
I got her booted up and running! A total rewire piggybacked with an aftermarket auto meter insturment/gauge kit's wiring, a Weber DGV, and a Flame Thrower dizzy installed, taking a s.w.a.g about the "timing mark" on a harmonic balancer (?) that I don't find referenced in any diagrams, and she sparked right up and was burbeling happily on the jack stands!
BUT it piddled out a >12" puddle of oil for only running about 10 min... I've surfed the site a bit and am savy about the centrifical flinger vs a no rear main seal present and most of the posts about this issue seem to indicate that the sump gasket is usually the main culprit. Viewed from the side it appears that DPO did go gasket-maker crazy on the sump seal too...
I REALLY don't want (nor really have the right equipment) to pull the powerpack. Can I undo and re-new the sump gasket with the engine in the car as well? Are there any/best approaches for getting a good seal when I'd seal it all back up? Thanks again,
Ed G