I'll refer to it as bad ass from now on, IF I can get the 4 bolt studs remaining loosened.

I did manage to get the thermostat housing bolt stud out, using PB Blaster (my WD-40 is almost out anyway) and my new vise grips.

I've been using B-12 Chemtool to clean the bolts off, the gasket surface, etc. THAT shit is awesome.

Oh and I managed to get the pump off. I pried at it with like, 5 screwdrivers driven into various spots, but it finally came off. Stuffed a cut sock in each side of the...other side of the pump, and sprayed the crap out of the area with a steam cleaner I bought just for using on the cars. That thing is coming in handy recently with this grimed up engine.

So yeah, 4 headless bolts remaining, then I'll buy new bolts and put it back together.

Someone on the Buick board recommended removing the timing cover, and just replacing that, or drilling out the holes off of the car. A VERY helpful idea, but hopefully there's enough of these bolts left on the car to remove them without going through all of that.

Oh and there's those pesky studs to put into the pulley end of the pump. I don't have a table-mounted vise or I'm sure it'd be much simpler. I guess when I get these bolts out I'll reward myself with a trip to a pawn shop, or at worst, Home Depot.

On a side note...my Datsun stranded me on the way to work. Clutch went to the floor. Recently had the slave cylinder replaced, looks like the master cylinder just konked out. It's at the shop, I need to have at least ONE car on the road.
So in some sense, yes, old cars are a royal PITA. But they're still my preference.

And I have GOT to look into that job closer to home...I can afford a taxi for 5 miles if I have this problem again, but 30 miles, each way, and it starts to not pay to work.