Replacing Rod & Main Bearings

Last week the intermediate shaft seal blew and I lost oil quickly and
now its ticking but not really a knocking. It seems to subside after
a few minutes. I've been babying it back and forth to work for a week
now.
Tomorrow I am changing the rod and main bearings, motor mounts, and
all front seals as well as the valve cover, timing cover and oil pan
gaskets.
I saw on the 700/900 faqs about the homemade engine compartment lift.
And seem to remember reading something about using a bent nail to help
push out the main bearings while turning the crank by hand. <-- A
link to that would be helpful.
As to the reason the seal blew. the flame trap is clean, but I havent
checked the hoses attached to it. Also, do the oil separator boxes
clog up and cause undue crankcase pressure ?
I dont have the money to do the oil pump at the moment, though it
looks to be a well spent 100 bucks while you have the pan off. What
about the oil pump orings ? I am not familiar with their placement,
do they simply keep it from leaking or would they cause pressure drop
if deteriorated ?
Any other tips, tricks, or particularly helpful curse words that
anyone cares to share with me concerning this job would be greatly
appreciated and paid for in beer if you are ever in Dallas.
p.s. no I dont know how my oil pressure is, the idiot light wiring is
broken, and yes I do plan to replace it with a real gauge.

Jack in Dallas