OK, I "WAS" only following this part time since I am usually busy as fuck doing something, but starting today I am practicing a little for my upcoming two weeks of being restricted to the horizontal position.

That means I have time to add my worthless .02.
As we already discussed on the phone, your air pump 100% needs to come apart. I understand what your thoughts are on spending more money on this engine when your long term goal is a bigger hammer. That said, I also think if you shove it in a corner until you get your life's work and residence location in order, it may never run again?
If you did get a big hammer for under the hood, the transmission AND rear end have to be replaced. Neither will tolerate 1000hp.
If it is your plan to not run the thing until it comes apart and gets diagnosed, I might have space down here for a while. I have every measuring device known to man, and more importantly, I have race car Ronnie. He will be able to tell exactly what happened, why it happened, and what it has to have moving forward. My end of this, including getting Ronnie to offer some advice, would cost you nothing. If the repair ends up being more than you want to spend at this time, at least you have the motor apart, and the knowledge of what it needs for the future. Might even be able to haul it for you if the timing is right......