Tinkered some more this evening. I figured out a few electrical problems. The clock has a bad lens, so I got the clock out of the "low mileage" parts car, which only was used for 5 years and 61k miles. It works! amazing. Then I got the charge indicator light to work. After tracing the circuit, and doing some tests, I discovered the relay for it was bad, substituted a good used one and it works properly. This is kind of important to me, to have a working idiot light for the charging system. I don't need a volt meter or ammeter, just a light to tell me if the fan belt went away, etc.
The turn signals didn't work at all. Some testing revealed that the flasher can was getting power and working, but the switch on the column was not producing voltage when activated. I disconnected the plug for it, and used the DVM continuity buzzer to test it, and it was working just barely occasionally...so after some more manipulation it worked a bit better. I connected it back together, and it works for left turns, but not right turns. The meter showed it working both ways...I'll keep playing with the switch, it might start working better. The left side is working consistently, just not the right side. Oh well. Also while testing that, I accidentally grounded the horn button wire with the test light, and heard a loud growing sound! so I played with the horn button more, and got it to make the motor run. Doesn't sound like it's making any air, but at least the electric part is going.
I think it was an hour and a half well spent.
I suppose tomorrow I should call the lady who gave me the cars, and give her a visit....see if she'd like to drive it some. I think it's working well enough.