[Mike_The_Grad]

*Update*
So, almost 2 years later and quite a 2 years it has been. I got everything back together and on the road.

1st: turns out I had a reverse rotation chrome aluminum water pump intended for a serpentine drive system. Found this out in March of 2015 while I was replacing my drive belts and noticed that my water pump pulley was growling when turn in normal operating direction. Not wanting to take any chances I picked up a cast iron O.E. water pump. Immediately noticed a drop in temperature and steadying of the indicator. Also determined I had air trapped in the cooling system. I'm almost positive these two things compounded together caused my blown head gasket.
After almost a year of troubleshooting a lower than normal vacuum signal issue, I'm glad to say I've got it all straightened out. I have a steady 19.5" Hg. Reading on my gauge at idle. Multiple things happening at the same time made it pretty tough to discern what was the cause. Ultimately, I replaced my distributor,(leading to my discovery that the distributor mainshaft was bent slightly.) I rebuilt my carburetor myself after experiencing flooding issues due to a saturated float.
I replaced the stock "hot slot" cast iron intake manifold with an Edelbrock 2101 performer intake manifold.( I hadn't properly sealed the rear block between the intake and block causing a constant oil leak...also my O.E.M. oil pressure sending line leaked at the block adapter,a new copper line kit from autometer fixed that.)
Two sets of Taylor spiro-pro spark plug wires and three sets of spark plugs
Plus a few other things along the way have got me to where I am today, about 13k miles and running great.
Now I am preparing for a overhaul of my th350. It leaks out of practically every seal possible and is at least 20 years since anything other than filter and pan gasket swaps have been done. It is inevitable and anticipated to say the least.