Ignition should not require to be drilled out I would think/hope! Just removing one small wire from the coil should do it. Carbon build up should manifest itself by a very unsteady idle, bucking etc and should not continue for a long time, I would think.
You know, I am in Santa Monica every Tuesday and if it would help, can swing by on my lunch break one of these weeks? 'A picture paints a thousand words' after all, I just may be able to give you some pointers after my 25 or so years of Pagoda ownership and my general mechanical experience with older cars. Just let me know.