I'd buy a new Derailleur...has nothing to do with cassette size...I just like to buy stuff!

Is there a simple way to tell if a pedal is french threaded with only the pedal set available (ie no crankset)?

Front crank is currently a 105(1055) with 42/53 chainrings. The new one will be a 105(1057) with 32/42/52. Rear derailleur is a 105 7 speed.(28T capacity) I am not a cross chainer at all. But... the wife might be.(we ride the same size bike so this one could be shared)

Yes. If you have one of these. One of the best investments I have made. Of course, one doesn't absolutely have to have a Starrett.
But I like high quality tools.
http://www.amazon.com/Starrett-156M-.../dp/B000E64PLK

BTW, you can also use a metric bolt with a .1 mm pitch threading as a screw pitch gauge, but it's a little more difficult.

How 'bout a French thread pedal feels loose in BS threaded crank arm?

can i install some brake hoods without removing bar tape? and also is it possible to paint hoods without having any trouble?

It may depend on the lever, but in most cases, yes. The lever is held on by a band that wraps around the bars, and you can remove the lever body from the band by unscrewing the bolt hidden behind the lever. Then change the hoods and reinstall the lever body. Similarly, you can use this method to change your handlebar wrap without the risk of tearing the hoods (which can often happen if they are no longer supple).

I wouldn't paint hoods, but some people have had success using Plastic Dip to rejuvenate hoods.

do i need to remove the brake cables too? also my brake levers have that longer bolt that sticks out because it had suicide levers. whats the best way to get rid of that?

How would you propose to cable your brakes without detaching the cable? Cables can be unhooked pretty easily directly at the levers. Dremel tool or Multitool

im trying to put hoods onto the brakes. would i have to remove the cables? or could i somehow slip it on without the extra hassle? and sadly i dont own any powertools besides a drill, will i have to chop it by hand?

You can buy a dremel metal bit and stick it your drill. Look inside the levers and you can see how to pop the cables out. Slacken the cables by pinching the calipers together.

you will have a real struggle installing hoods without removing the levers, and when you do that chopping down the pivots will be much easier, too. If your tool selection is limited, try doing a rough cut-off with the levers still in place using a hacksaw (you have one, right?). Then with the levers removed you can file and sand the pivots until flush, but I'd take the pivots out and use a vise (pad the jaws) to hold them so you can do a decent job.
No power tools required, but a bench grinder (handled with care) works wonders in a case like this.

Shimano 12-27 still out there?