Thanks for the chemdip safety pointers. I used to have a can of this stuff until it was moving time, and remember it being very serious. I mainly did not know the correct name for it.
I have the factory service manual and parts manual. Just ordered the Stockel and Petersen’s books—thanks.

Vacuum retention on the diaphragm seems OK, yet is hard to tell with the makeshif hand vacuum pump (actually a siphon pump) i rigged up. I have a decent set of tools, yet am missing items such as a torque wrench (!) and what i assume would be some sort of handheld vacuum pump for testing the many automotive vacuum-operated diaphragms for leak-down. Just now i was not having any luck with a forum search to find any discussion of these tools (good ones, ones to avoid, etc.). If anyone can point me to existing threads on these sorts of tool topics, i will be most appreciative. Otherwise, i’ll post my Qs in the Other forum, so this thread does not spiral out of control too far off-topic.

Making progress,

))Nick((

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1981 B-150 short Van, stock 225, California emissions package, Electronic Spark Advance (digital Lean Burn), Non-feedback Holley 1945, AT
Driven for economy, not for speed.

Yup...the other precaution that needs to be taken is safe and proper disposal. It is a very serious hazardous waste, not to be thrown in the trash, poured on the ground, down the drain/toilet/gutter, etc. It can be tough to find a place to get rid of it; some municipalities have programs wherein they periodically pick up paint, oil, cleaners, etc. If you haven't got such a program nearby, call your trash disposal company to find out what to do with it.
Yup...a vacuum pump like this one or this one. It's a very useful tool for a vehicle such as yours, which has a great deal of vacuum-operated equipment.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.