Update! Got the parts in, got it all back together, and it runs like a dream. Originally when we fired it up, it had some valve train noise, but I ran a can of liqui moly through the engine at idle for 10 mins, drained the oil, put a new WIX filter and 7 quarts of Mobil 1 European formula 0w-40 in it, and the car is super quiet. We drove it around all day Saturday and Sunday.

Something odd did happen though. All day Saturday, the ABS and Brake lights were on. We tried the reset trick to turn the wheel full stop a few times, but the lights stayed on. Sunday morning we went out with the code scanner to check it out and the lights were off when we started it. We were going to check the wheel speed sensors in real time to see if they were all reporting, but the light has stayed off all day Sunday and all week. My son ended up with the vehicle as its his first real car, and he loves it. I hope to pick up a 4.4, 4.6, or 4.8 liter one at some point later.