Your thoughts on moving

While I will likely never have to rebuild another variable venturi carburetor, or perform another Pinto gas tank recall, it's nice to know that if Ford called me out of retirement...

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, MindPilot, but you would need to go back and get a computer engineering degree. Mechanics don't actually work on cars anymore. When you open the hood, there are only ports to plug in your myriad diagnostic devices.

A million years ago, my significant other had a Ford Pinto that had the gas tank recall. All they did was spray some kind of insulation foam between the gas tank and the back of the rear seat backs. She sold the car soon after that.

Good thing I learned about electronics and computers in the Navy! My very first automotive job that wasn't "gas station" was working with the University of Colorado to develop emission testing and diagnostic protocols. Later with Ford, I became a go-to guy for weird electrical problems.

Yeah I heard some dealers would do that. The theory was it was a layer of fireproofing between the interior and the tank...except that it wasn't. They would still collect the full payment from the company for performing the recall.
Anyone doing that is opening themselves up to all kinds of liability. It's not surprising though; some of the dumbest people I have ever met were dealer service managers. Oh man, I got stories...