Thanks Brad. I will contemplate timing mods after getting the new drivetrain running. Meawhile:
050 distributor mounted, cap pointing at plug#3 with rotor oriented at cap pole 4, plugs wires installed. Installed Bosch oil filter. Added one pint Lucas zinc additive and Rotella to the sump. Wound teflon tape around the transaxle drain plug, and poured in 3 quarts Redline MTL (will top the additional 0.1 once off jackstands). Fitted crankcase vent tube to right Meaner Cleaner filter housing - with the new slightly shorter filters, this required trimming the air cleaner vent nipple as it is secured in place by the filter housing top and bottom with pressure from the (new, correct) spring clips. Contemplated fitting newly acquired stainless expansion tank, but discovered I don't have the correct new hoses in stock, so re-fitted the translucent Volvo tank that was in there previously from the prior owner, to facilitate the break in process. Advantages of that tank are (1) you can see the coolant level (2) it fits cleanly where the original carb fan resided, so it allows great access to the engine bay vs. the stainless unit. Poured in a gallon of antifreeze and a gallon of water so far.
No oil leaks. No MTL leaks. One water leak at the pump, re-torqued the housing bolts and pipe bolts, let it sit overnight. Need to re-inspect cooling system today. Note the water pump impeller is new with all new gaskets. Will also ease the v-belt to go easy on the water pump shaft seal. Charged up the battery.
Installed new rod shifter boot to body gasket. Non-trivial to slip the small round end over the square spade aft end of the shifter rod. In the end it fits securely, that'll make the interior better insulated from noise and engine bay air.
Ready to turn the new motor over, check oil pressure, top the oil, get air out of the cooling system, run the fuel pump, check for fuel leaks and working accelerator pumps. Wheels on, drop the car off of jack stands, torque the hub nuts and A arms. Then, hopefully it'll run and can perform the first heat cycle.