Okay, I am now stuck getting the cowl support bar out. I'm pretty sure I've identified what it is, but I can't get it out. Any tips?

 

Take a picture with your cell phone & post it.

I think you are doing a GREAT JOB & you are almost done.

 

I'll have to upload pictures later, but I can say that I overlooked the steering column. I think that is what is keeping the cowl support in place. In a desperate attempt to work around it, I tried to skip ahead to opening the cover for the heater core, but there is ONE bolt that is blocked by part of the cowl support, and it is impossible to loosen the bolt with this piece of metal in the way.

I was really worried earlier, seeing my dash in pieces, but I think if I keep focusing on one part at a time then I'll get the job done before I know it. Putting all of this stuff back is going to be fun, haha.

 

So far so good - keep plugging away at it.

Take your time and just keep track as best you can where the parts came from. Once you get that core out, putting it back together will be fairly quick compared to the disassembly. Just remember to double check everything as you go making sure all electrical and mechanical cables/connections are done right before you cover them up.

Nothing worse than having to tear it all apart to attach a simple electrical plug that was missed.

 

and don't over torque the 7 mm screws that hold plastic to metal, a squeak will result.

 

Okay, I'm trying to remove the steering wheel with no luck. I bought a puller kit, but it doesn't seem like it fits the inside of he wheel. Is there a specific kit that I need to get?

 

I put the nut on to protect the threads put my both knees under the bottom of the wheel pulled the top of the wheel with my left hand and a quick smack with my 3 lb hammer to the shaft and it popped loose! Just don't swing for the fence!!

 

My wheel won't budge. Am I missing something?

 

No, it's the good old tapered spline shaft wedged into the steering wheel.
Did you try my method from my earlier post?
Maybe try two sharp raps with your hammer.
Make sure you apply upward pressure with your knees to the bottom of the steering wheel and pull hard on the top of the wheel with your left hand, then the two sharp blows
Remember to hit the shaft as square as you can so you don't mess up the threads and have the nut on so the wheel doesn't pop off and whack you in the face.