Hi folks 
Ergh, gathering everything I need is taking ages on such a small budget, but I'm nearly there.
Bushings are in (got two sets just in case), as well as the circlip pliers. Just wating for the oil to arrive, and for me to get an apropriate piece of bar to use on them. Last months budget went on a desperately needed metal band saw, having been donated quite a bit of stock materials, it was starting to become like the saying "water water everywhere, but not a drop to drink" lol.
I made small progress with the lower pulley section, though I didn't need a bar, it was so thin on the one side I was able to prise is out. Judging by how stress resistant it was when bending it, I don't think it was an oilite. Since wear can hide and fill the gaps of an oilite, I snapped a piece off along the thickest area to see if there was any evidence of holes or pockets running through the fracture:

As can be seen, it appears to be solid so I'm guessing the other one will be too.
Regarding oil preload. I've seen people use hands and whatnot to press oil throughout a bushing, but was wondering, would using my vacuum chamber work?
I made one for moulding/casting resins and silicone but it occured to me that it might draw out the air and fill the bushings that way, I could warm them up a bit in the oil to aid the process and leave them to cool in the vacuum.