From what I’m reading, it sounds to me like you might have the skills to make it right and keep it right, so why not? Without seeing the situation with my own eyes, I’d be inclined to go with a new crankset but if you can realistically save what you got, give it a go. True up the wheels, dial in the brakes and ride it.
Every once in a while I’ll stumble onto a “Garage Queen” and it’s kinda fun to just strip it down, clean it up, and ride a piece of history.
-Kedosto