Congratulations on getting that big job done!
Reminded me of when I was 2 hours from home when my 1972 Econoline quit running. I was in the middle of nowhere in South Western Ohio when it stalled as I ran down the interstate.
Something called me to open the distributor cap and I saw that the points were not opening and closing, and the screw that set their adjustment was loose. I had a screwdriver but no feeler gauge to set the gap. Not only that but I didn't have any idea what gap to set it to anyway. Once again our internal voice said use a matchbook cover. Interestingly I had a matchbook, though I didn't smoke. I gap the points with the matchbook cover and the truck took off and ran got me all the way home without any trouble.
I am no mechanic unless it is electronic. But some little internal voice guided mein just what to do. I imagine at the time I was pretty proud of myself, though I doubt today that I had anything to do with it.
Thank you- and that was an awesome life story- glad you pulled it like a champ!