I was finally able to get an H pipe installed and my exhaust welded up. The final result is a much better sound and no more leaking clamps (which was quite annoying). Here she is over the pit:
I also installed a quick fuel 750 mechanical secondary carb that I like quite a bit more than the edelbrock. Seems to have picked up a couple ponies and its a bit more consistent in its power delivery. I haven't tuned it completely but its in good running order.
Last but not least, I had some fun on one of the local mountain roads here. No luck yet on re-attaching my front sway bar so the handling wasn't exactly confidence inspiring. However I wanted to give her a hard core shake down in some 95 degree heat going up hill and the engine only ever saw a max of 190 degrees, and about 180 max in the trans pan (avg trans temp around 160 tho.