Bent fork?
 

Well, what do you think? It looks bent to me, and there appears to be a line just behind the head lug on the downtube that has chipped paint (and there feels like a slight bulge in the bottom of the tube), but it rides straight and the wheel is straight in the frame(I threw on a set of 26X1-3/8 instead of the original 27's). there's no obvious metal cracking either. As a beater bike to ride 14-30 miles per day, think it'll be OK?

Based on your description, frame is toast. Given that tall stem you have, you need to consider a larger frame anyway.

OK then. I got it for free and stuck it together with spare parts. The frame fits, but I was going for something a lot more upright. My other "upright" bike is a 62. This is a 56. :)

I frequently ride an '84 Centurion that I crashed in 1996. Frame was straightened and there is a VERY slight bulge on the bottom side of the downtube near the head lug. There is no sign of cracked paint near the bulge. The bike has thousands of miles since that crash.

Is your bike safe? I'd take it to a shop for further inspection. Definately treat the cracked paint and check for any rust.