I'm sorry you're having these problems, BG! A sticker in a friend's father's car cheers me up when I run into problems: Problems are nature's way of preparing us for greater things.
On the Huret, this is how they are supposed to be fitted:
The gubbins can interfere with fitting a mudguard, though, and it seems you're struggling to find space there, even with the Chorus FD. I had the same problem with my Katakura Silk and solved it by using a Nuovo Record FD as the only thing that extends behind the seat tube where the tyre is is the clamp band - the pivots are out to the side:
[IMG]
IMG_5818 by
Dawes-man, on Flickr[/IMG]
I wonder also if you wouldn't get more room by usung plastic Bluemels...
In any case, good luck!