torqued everything (I had my roommate hold the crank from moving while i went at the cam bolt, and he got bruised ). closed everything up and she starts. a little whining/light scraping at the beginning, but it was fading so I assume it's just the new parts being broken in as the oil flows.
The stationary timing marker seems to have broken off the block probably years ago and was never noticed - looks like I'll have to time it by ear.
After she started I held it at about 2k for a while, then tested up to 5500 and she got up there fine. The idle, however, was fine at the beginning but was hanging out 1500-2000 after going for a ride. Not sure what causes this, we'll see if it goes away.

Bad things that happen when your car sits too long:
Tranny's sticking a bit and won't shift to third (sigh, autotragic) but the car sat for a while and probably just needs the fluid flushed as there was no such issue before she died and the tranny hasn't been touched.
Brake rotors are a little rusty, thatll wear off by itself though after a few miles.

Good news is, I drove a couple blocks, aside from being unexpectedly stuck in 2nd gear and sloppy brakes, it felt good to be back on the road in a real car.