As aggravating as it might be, I think I'd treat myself to a new pair of pedals and install them myself, then try to forget the whole thing. Option "B" is to cruise ebay for an orphan pedal. Seems like a lot of Shimano stuff was never designed to be fixed, so small parts aren't available.
Glad to hear you are riding your "baby" again.
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My C&V Bikes:
1972 Bottecchia Professional, 1972 Legnano Olympiade Record,
1982 Colnago Super, 1987 Bottecchia Team C-Record,
1988 Pinarello Montello, 1990 Masi Nuova Strada Super Record,
1995 Bianchi Campione d'Italia, 1995 DeBernardi Thron