So I did my fuel pump today...it was not all that bad once I got that clip off. I used an american made pump replacement since that is what my buddys shop was able to get through worldpac. I am pleased so far. Installation was simple, it fit correctly, and it seems that even though the filter is clocked slightly differently my floater still works properly.
EVEN BETTER NEWS, I am not "counting my chickens yet", but the idle seems to have improved. It has gone from rough and bouncy to slightly rough, like its got some lobe in the cams
. I will see if it will improve with a little tweaking here and there (by that I mean the throttle body), then I can get around to restoring the rest of the car.
I will keep everyone posted on the running condition of the car since so many of these threads die without an answer.
Thanks to OT who I talked to on the phone today, as well as a couple other people (Nikfu had a helpful pic of the clip in an older thread) who contributed useful info.
I think I am still light headed from the gas