That's what I keep telling myself (and the wife).   What started out as a clean-up for painting has turned into a "soft" rebuild.  

That's how it goes, right?

1964 Ford F100 w/ 292 Y-block
-Central Florida-

The more you dig, the more you'll find that needs to be done.

So true!
I have to make myself stop, otherwise I'll dig too deep.  Wake up a Balrog or something...(for any Lord of the Rings fans on here).

I'm thinking that while the heads are off at the shop, I can focus on getting that bolt out of the block (hopefully it's not in a water jacket and will come out easy) and then get everything cleaned up and painted before they get back.  I'm also thinking of ordering some new head gaskets and head bolts from Mummert.   
Question:  do you guys typically treat the block or heads with anything before you install them?   I'm seen mention of a copper spray or something?

1964 Ford F100 w/ 292 Y-block
-Central Florida-

i have always used a good quality gasket on two clean dry surfaces. I am sure others have used the copper spray. I have not had any issues in the 60 years I am working on cars. As for your broken stud, to which I am no stranger and a self proclaimed expert .Buy your self a good set of left handed drill bits ,some time if the gods are in a good mood just drilling with the reverse drill will back out the stud. 

Is any manufacturer making "quality" drill bits? Aren't they all being made in China? Consider buying multiple cheap bits that won't last and hope you won't break one off in the stud while you're trying to remove it. 

There are still a few excellent companies in America making drill bit. Quality stuff.
1 American Made Drill Bits Saint Paul Minn
2Drill Hog
3 KnKut
4 Melim
5 Montana Brand Tools
6 Norseman Drill and Toll
7 Rocky Mountain Twist
8 Triumph
9 Vick Tool Company
10 WL Fuller 
 I would not use a drill ,tap or die from harbor freight that is the stuff that gets you in trouble 

I'll keep this list handy.

I have found that the drill bits sold at local hardware/chain stores aren't any better than what's sold by Harbor Freight. 

It seems that the majority of the above sell on Amazon and use "domestic and globally sourced materials."

Some years ago, I purchased a pair of "American Made" leather hiking boots. When they arrived, the box said, "Made in America with Imported Materials." I had to ask myself, "Why is it necessary to import materials? Don't we have cows in America?" Rubber soles?

"When I look back at all the crap I learned in high school"  I think of my shop teacher Mr. Bay who made it a point (no pun ) too make sure every kid could sharpen a dull drill bit. He would take a good bit mess it up on the grinding wheel hand to you and say "make it like new" so most of my bits I have for many years drill bits that were 5 inches are now 3 from being sharpened over and over. That is the diffrence between quality and junk  . Just an old man rambling 

i'd love to just have a bit that's actually worth sharpening.   I made the mistake a few weeks ago of buying a "high" dollar bit from ACE, thinking  "ok, this has to be better than the HF ones that I have right?   Wrong...it broke just drilling a pilot hole in a metal stud just to hang some shelf brackets.   I don't  mind paying for quality, but it better actually be good!  Thanks for that great list.  I'll check 'em out and give that left turning bit idea a try.
Merry Christmas, fellas.

1964 Ford F100 w/ 292 Y-block
-Central Florida-

I bought set of cobalt twist drills at Harbor Freight. Expensive but man cut steel nice