I understand that I will need to purchase at least $340K in income property per the 1031 rules, my question is will I have to maintain at least $150K in new debt as part of the new purchase transaction, matching the current debt of $150K that I have on the property being sold?  

There are good rents there maybe $800-1000 for a well maintained 2 BR.

My rental income covers all of my monthly costs, and the ability to maintain the lifestyle I was used to.  

your buyer's agreement should have transferred all deposits in whole, and included any interest on deposits to date of sale....and the seller would have adjusted his asking price for any expenses he had in maintaining the property.. any rents should have been prorated as date of possession. 

@Jonathan ThompsonAnother item to keep in mind is that all of your self employment income from all sources can be aggregated for purposes of contributing to the Solo 401k.Here is an except from an article written by Calcpa.orgWhen a self-employed individual maintains more than one trade or business, the questionarises as to whether the limit is based on the sum of earned income or loss from all trades orbusinesses under common control [as defined in IRC 414( c)) as modified by IRC 415(h)], or ifonly the trade or business maintaining the plan being tested is used.For purposes of the IRC 415limit, earned income for the self-employed individual is based on the sum of the earned incomefrom all the controlled trades or businesses, regardless of whether the related employer maintainsa qualified plan [Reg. 1.415-2(d)(6)].EXAMPLE: Andy, a sole proprietor, operates a law practice as a sole proprietorand has $100,000 of self-employment income from such practice for 2008 (prior tothe reduction for one-half of self-employment tax).

From everyone I've talked to in person about the LLCs, the most important aspect of maintaining the integrity of the entity is to keep it completely separate from my own finances.

If you simply follow the guidelines of maintaining the LLC, it should provide the protection you desire.  

All lenders have pretty similar formats.I feel that it is a best practice to maintain it monthly...helps focus attention on making decisions that increase net worth.

I think I would try to maintain majority of the responsibility.

I still maintain you don't need an EIN for a SMLLC disregarded entity.