all good info Glen, thanks!
The oil looked like new, as well as the filter, so i was comfortable with a simple quick test run. That's all i needed to hear it run now and to give me the green light to move forward with confidence. I will do all the points you wisely brought out.
While underneath taking off the rear suspension parts that were "temporarily" bolted in place to allow rolling the car around, i found the plastic fuel line goes all the way back to the tank. Also found the plastic fuel line broken right above the rear differential. Probably got knocked when he removed the rear diff those many years ago.
I attacked the roll bar today and removed same. It measures 33 1/2 inches tall (from centerline of lower seat belt bolts holes, to the top of bar. It was a dog to get out since a lot of the interior needed moving around (carpets, rear cardboard bulkhead, seats, center console, etc.) Now that it's out, I can move the seat back far enough now so that I can fit inside. Sorry to see it go and my wife complained saying that she only liked the looks of the car because of the rollbar!! Go figure! I'll miss the look and the added safety, plus it was a great "handle" to grab onto to move the car around. It was nicely made and attached at 6 points (3 each side) of both lower seat belt mounting bolts and the two rear body attachment points at the upper frame extensions near where the strut tops mount.
Every time I do something or look at the car, the longer the list of things to do gets! I just keep making a list, some mental notes, and try to stay focused on making progress toward the end goal.