Diagnosing the engine noise still. Fixed the oil leak- luckily it wasn't the rear main seal, just an issue with the oil pan gasket. Never trying a non-FelPro gasket again.
Stock rockers back in for now. There may be pushrod clearance issues with the 1.7's and the head casting. If the noise goes away I guess I'm stuck with a 1.6 ratio for now.
Valvebody is back out, torn apart and reassembled. The stock plastic accumulator piston decided to atomize itself with the increased line pressure from the valvebody shift kit. Low/Reverse servo (cast aluminum) cracked and cocked in its bore, so it's been replaced with a billet Superior piece. Accumulator piston will be replaced with a Sonnax billet piece as well, as soon as it comes in. Picked up a slightly longer (3/32") rear band strut and a much stronger, stock-length front band strut while I had the guts out. Currently working on making a bench-test unit for the various governor pressure solenoids I have to determine which one leaks the least.
If things go well and the weather behaves, it *might* be moving under its own power by Sunday!