I removed the compressor today and poured about 2 to 3 oz of oil in it. I left it front seal facing down for about 30 minutes as the manufacturer recommends. I put the factory sealing plate back on the inlet/outlet so I could reinstall it in the truck. I'm going to try running a full 8oz bottle of oil in the system. The Ranger originally ran 10oz, and the Thunderbird ran 7oz. My hoses are a lot shorter than any of the original hoses, and the condenser is smaller as well. Fingers crossed.
I taped off the compressor manifold block that I had TIG welded, cleaned and painted it with high temp paint. I also removed the small 90 degree bracket I had to remake that stabilizes the other side of the compressor so I could clean and paint it too.
After that I got the smallest #6 hose and the appropriate hose ends measured out and put together, temporarily installed it in the truck, and it's ready for crimping now. This one doesn't have to be clocked any certain direction as it has one straight fitting on one end of it.
I'm going to let the bracket and manifold block dry overnight, and I hope to get them mounted up tomorrow so I can mock up the other two hoses. Then I'll take everything over to the shop 35 miles away and have it all crimped.
I'm doing my best to keep everything sealed up in the meantime. Any time I've removed sealing caps from a component, I try to reinstall them immediately after I'm done working on that section.
Progress is slow but I believe I'm at the crest of the hill now. What's left: getting hoses crimped and installed, pick up one heater hose, reinstall the intake, get the throttle cable bracket trimmed down to not hit the plenum, radiator reinstalled and filled, reinstall the belt, build my own electrical harness, reinstall mechanical fan, then figure out the radiator hose situation.. Then vacuum down and fill.