Hey all, just to update... I finished putting her back together two days ago. I turned the key and she started right up! Like all of this had never happened. And no leaks! During reassembly I changed the water pump, plugs & wires, thermostat, and camshaft position sensor (looked pretty bad with bare wires showing right where they go into the sensor). Of course I changed the antifreeze and oil/filter too. Put a 1/2 can of Seafoam in with the oil to give her a good cleaning, then in about 200 miles I'll do another oil & filter change. Oh, and I changed that leaky o-ring on the oil pump drive, and added the Fel-Pro gasket as recommended elsewhere in this forum.
I'd like to thank everyone for helping me locate that coolant pipe nipple I needed, and for confirming the proper torque specs. (I actually got the nipple at the very same AutoZone that told me they don't stock it, and can't get it!) LOL
Thanks again all! - Cheers!