OK, Had a chance to start poking around on the car this past Sunday and figured I would start with some basics.
Fuel tank guage/sending unit. Pulled the dash so I could get to the back of the guage if need be, then grounded each of the wires going to the sending unit. Gound first wire. Guage shoots to full. Grounded second wire, no red light. Argh.... swap bulb ground wire again. Voila a red light. Go get the spare from the 78. Do a basic ohms check. fuel empty works, but no varied resistance as I swing the arm. popped the cover and the tiny very fine waires are starting th shred

So new fuel sending unit is on order. ( so much for spare parts)
Next on the list was the windshield wiper washer. First noticed no ground wire to second tab on motor. hmmmm can't seem to find one either

So I unscrew the bag from the fender and decide to do a bench test with a spare battery. Also noticed that the rubber strap holding the motor to the bag is streched and broken, but bag does not leak. Connected leads from the battery to the motor. Tiny sparks but no small pump humming sound. OK time for the spare parts box again. Have three to choose from. One bag has a rip so I started with that one. Yeah it works. (parts box is redeemed

) Just for grins I checked the others and had a 50% sucess rate. so I chucked the other bad motor as well. Popped the new motor in the bag and decided to zip tie it in place because the strap is toast. SO I drill a small hole in the base of the block that belongs to the strap

wouldnt you know it but that thing is somewhat hollow and goes to the interior of the bag! So now, get out the silicone and small screw to plug tthe hole I just made. Plan B2 drill same holes further up the strap just above the base. This may work, but wont be as neat as being able to go throught the base. Cleaned up the bag, but havent put it back in the car yet.
Now the fun begins. Seems I have a reoccuring theme of toasted items

. hmmmm just coincidence or is there another issue

. Start again with the basics Car not running battery +11.98 volts. Jump the car because its been sitting for a couple of weeks ( seems too soon for the battery to be that low) Voltage at battery +15.76 volts
Havent had a chance to look at the voltage regulator as it was getting dark and starting to rain but that voltage seems high. Any thoughts here

From all other indications thus far, When the battery has a charge it starts normally, lights (except for parking lights) horn, wipers (albeit slow) radio and flashers all work, even when run at the same time. So if the voltage regulator is bad, would this cause other items to toast from an increase in voltage or is it more likely age of components. ( seems like wipers should go a little faster)