Update....
OddShot is on his way home as I type this. The re-index took longer to apply masking tape and clamp up the parallels. Photo to be posted soon by Oddshot when he gets home safely.
Gas cylinder shimmed with 2 shims x 8 thou and Oddshot used the Sadlak gas cylinder wrench to crank that lock down to the 6 o'clock position. Nice and snug. Yeah, we tried the 180 fix, but BOTH final position settled at 12 o'clock... go figure!
The flash suppressor was welded on Friday afternoon around 1500 because a few taps and it came off!
Op rod guide was loose as all the USGI 12.5 rifles I used to compete with (read: plays Jingle Bells when you shake the front end of the barrel). Hammered a bunch of dimples 360 degrees around the op rod guide on the barrel and re-installed after whacking it BACK into place with plastic hammer and flat punch. Tight as heck. No red Loctite needed. New pin 1/8" x 3/4" installed. Life is good.
Hammered the 3 splines on gas cylinder interface on the barrel , then hammered the 3 splines on the flash suppressor. Remember; never watch me put together a match rifle (read: HOLY Hammer used)
Greased the entire rifle where it was needed and then greased the trigger group at the sear and hammer interface, hammer face and nose. Trigger was smooth from the high school shop class.

Not bad, I say. I was impressed
Here's the biggest surprise.... The rear sights worked. Holy feces!
No need to rush out and buy Italian sourced M1 Garand rear sight knobs YET!
This rifle is a keeper! Damn... I never shoulda revealed these 'green light' discoveries. I shoulda offered him $ 300 CASH (Like Oliver Jewelry in Toronto, I'm da KashMan.... I give you money for your old gold, OH YEAH!). You Toronto dudes know how annoying those TV adverts are!
Now he has to smooth things out by firing 300 x 7.62mm MFS through that barrel while simultaneously yelling, "Fzck you, GI!" just like in "Defense of Firebase Gloria" movie with R Lee Ermey. LOL
So, who else wants to visit me for an M14 tuneup? You are gonna do all the work, not me! LOL ha ha ha ha
Return? Weeee don't need no stinkin' return (back to the dealer, I mean) !!
Cheers all,
Barney