IT'S ALIIIIIIIIVE!
Lee D. was kind enough to send along a Hurst 1-2 shift rod that actually worked, and Brian Scott sent a whole old stock kit as well (thanks to both, this group is awesome.) So I can select all gears now, engine is back in car, Borg and Beck clutch works, so does the aluminum intake and the AVS carb. Amazingly enough it started right up "out of the box" with just a little timing tweaking.
Only current issues are a) front end of car is still all apart, and I just discovered that my hood hinges have been sitting in the parts washer for about a month and the paint on them has now turned into some soft, varnish like goo :( b) I think I have a brake or two adjusted too tight, car felt like it was "binding" and stalling the engine in reverse but after playing with it a little bit, it doesn't roll free with the clutch pushed in either. (aluminum flywheel makes it a little easier to stall than your average Stude... but sounds great!) c) transmission is loud... guess I have another project to do, but at least 1st, 2nd, and reverse work fine, just makes a little more whining than I'd like. Even without any tuning other than setting the idle mix and pump shot, response in 2nd gear is very nice indeed. Rear end makes no noise, and I did not test its capabilities but seems to be fine (on jackstands, there's at least some limited slip action)
Have to give props to the engineers at Chrysler too... i have an "orange box" ignition and stupid me hooked it up from memory when rewiring the engine compartment, let some smoke out of the transistor but got a big fat spark after just moving the stray wire to where it was supposed to be. That orange box is tough enough to legitimately be on a Stude! :)
Still to do: detail hinges, fan shroud, underside of hood and reinstall all front end sheetmetal/chrome. Finish cutting hole in floor and install shift plate and boot. Readjust brakes so car rolls freely in neutral. Install clutch assist spring (ugh) maybe lean out the carb (650 CFM AVS) one step on the primaries. Then think about rebuilding a transmission... uncharted territory! (seems like I'm acquring new skills every day...)
In any case, I feel a lot better about the car today than I did yesterday, I can see functional transportation in my future...
nate