Turns out, I missed the #7 spark plug when I was plugging in the plug wires. So the tapping/knocking noise I was hearing? Yeah, that was the plug wire trying to ignite the spark plug heat shield. Not the spark plug.
![Banghead :banghead: :banghead:](/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/banghead.gif)
So. Got that fixed, and now she fires up and runs. Idles at 50+ psi of oil pressure cold. Still have to fix a heater hose that's hemorrhaging coolant, and then I can let her idle to temp. After that, I have to do the rear brake shoes and drums, plus all the springs and adjusters, then bleed the system completely front to back. Then an alignment, inspection, and registration. Then I can finally drive her again.
Yes I realize I'm an idiot for missing something so ridiculously simple. But I was in a rush trying to put her back together, and that was where I went wrong. I acknowledge that rushing was the cause of all of this drama. I welcome your (good natured) ridicule and ribbing.
![33 :33: :33:](/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/33.gif)
![Cheers :cheers: :cheers:](/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/cheers.gif)