Healthy block = good news.

So I'm back @ square one. could it be an electrical issue?
I rewired the car with a complete set from year one.
I replaced the dual point distributor with the Mopar breakerless ignition.

Wires all all connected to the correct plugs.

Where would you look for a vacuum leak?

There are only two vacuum hoses I have on the motor. One from the base of the AVS to the distributor and one from the PCV valve to the carb.

Maybe I'm missing one?

Could I have run the motor too lean or rich and possibly burned a valve?
Would that cause the over heating and high oil pressure?

Would I able to tell anything from cranking the motor with the valve covers off?

but the nagging question is

why would it run fine and all of a sudden run poorly?