Hi Ted;
I think you'll enjoy your 182; they are great airplanes. I owned a 1966 182 J for a few years and found it capable and easy to fly.
The reason you can't get a POH for your 1971 airplane is because the POH format wasn't adopted by the industry until 1977. Before that, an Owner's Manual was included with each airplane.
I have attached the Owners Manual for a 1975 182 P. It is almost exactly the same as the one for your 182N.
There is a checklist in the manual I've attached.
Take a look and if you have any more questions let me know.
Steve