I got the bottom end of the block disassembled today. No real problems or surprises. The crank, cam and pistons are all out and the block is bare. I'm now looking for a local shop to clean and check the block, heads, rods, etc.
With the block torn down, I went back to the CFI intake to try and get the fuel lines with the frozen flare nuts disconnected from the throttle bodies. I was able to get the lines off by spinning the entire fuel line and the fitting that screwed into the throttle body bases. Even with the lines off and perfect access to the flare nuts, I still couldn't get them to move and each try just rounded them off a little more than before. At this point, I think I'm going to have to have someone fabricate news lines for me. Even if I could get the flare nuts loose, I wouldn't want to put them back on the car because of their condition.
With the fuel lines all off, I took the throttle bodies off the intake base plate and disconnected the linkage between the units to separate them. I'm debating whether to send the TBI units out for service or not. They were working fine, with a nice cone shaped spray pattern, so I may just soak them to try and clean them up nicely. I'm ready to start soaking and scrubbing the other intake pieces to refinish them.
The last item for the day was to get the goofy, aluminum security ring off the steering column. The previous owner had some kind of security system installed and I assume there was a steering wheel lock that connected to the ring. All I know is that it got in the way removing the gauge bezel and had to go. I pulled the bolt on the intermediate steering shaft in the engine compartment, removed the three bolts holding the column to the firewall, then removed the two nuts holding the column up and disconnected the wiring. Even tugging firmly, the column would not release from the intermediate shaft, so I had to use a hammer and crowbar to separate the column from the shaft first. Then the column pulled right out.
The aluminum ring had four, one-way screws and a green, rubbery goo around the inside of the ring. I was really worried the green goo was some kind of glue. I was able to drill out three of the four screws and thankfully the two halves of the ring weren't glued together. That allowed me to spread and open up one side of the ring enough for me to slide it up the column (where it was narrower). I was then able to rotate the two halves in opposite directions around the one remaining screw and the ring came off. Fortunately, the green goo was some kind of rubber that didn't adhere to the column itself. I took a plastic chisel and gently scraped the goo right off. It didn't even leave a mark, which was a huge relief.
Last thing for the day was to try out my new heat gun on the stripes. The stripes on the car are mostly wrecked and faded and need to come off for painting. I started with the belt line stripes on the passenger side. The heat gun nicely softened up the glue and the stickers came off pretty easily - or so I thought. What I realized after the fact was that the stickers were coming off but the glue was still mostly stuck to the car. Not sure if I need more heat or not, but I think I'll just get some adhesive remover. I was using the lowest heat setting and it was making the decals really soft which made it difficult to peel them off. I was using a plastic chisel to help scrape the decals and glue off, but the glue was still pretty messy.
My next steps from here are to find a reputable shop to clean and check the block and heads, to start soaking and cleaning the intake pieces, brackets and other pieces that are all gunked up and start getting the body cleaned up for paint.