Try and get the filter base from a 6.9, they don't have that troublesome heating element in them. I sourced my return lines from eBay and bought upgraded o rings through a member of another forum. Never eliminated a tank so can't help you there. If you ever have to put in new glow plugs...
Find a factory axle and swap it back in. The spring perches on the 01 axles are 1.5" narrower than what your truck originally came with. What that boils down to is poor ride quality. Sell the 01 axles for 1000 and make a little bit of money.
Buddy of mine has a 53 Ford with a Windsor and a 5 speed that looks like that. Cool truck, for sure. I'm the same way, Buzz. I'd like to throw a BBF into a classic Vette just to piss in someone's cheerios.
Keep some bottled water in the truck with you. Next time you shut her down, before you start her up pour the cool(not cold) water over the top of the injection pump. If it fires right up(or pretty much right up) then the injection pump is ready for replacement. All those things are is aluminum...
That factory 19lbs can flow enough fuel to support right around 350hp. Even if you swap in the 24lbs, the ECM is not going to flow more fuel than needed into the engine without a tune. Why is your vacuum so low? Have you played with the timing to get it higher?
Yea, those trucks are pretty bulletproof and you've got a good trans behind that big block. Don't expect more than 10 mpg at best though. The TFI module is a pretty common issue, it was their initial placement more than anything, right on the side of the distributor.