I finally bought what I consider a decent ball head on ebay. It's a Bogen 3435 Proball and a 3416 leveling base, and it just arrived (pictures below).
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/Greg_E/proball1.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/Greg_E/proball2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v329/Greg_E/proball3.jpg

Now here is the problem... In order to use the leveling base with my tripod, I need to raise the whole thing above the tripod mounting platform or the leveling screw will hit the platform. Does anyone know of a part that I can use to raise the head above the tripod? I found this but not sure if it will work http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68274-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_3261_3261_Tripod_Spacer.html since there isn't much info given on the product. But it is the type of spacer that I'm looking for. Any help would be appreciated.

Never mind, going to buy this instead since it is listed as being 60 mm diameter which is the same as the mounting diameter of the leveling base.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/5408-REG/Bogen_Manfrotto_3154_3154_Converter_Plate_to.html

Greg,
Both of the adapters you're looking at are female->female. You may find yourself needing male->female.
Why not use the head without the leveling base?

Female/female can be made to work with a much longer bolt to fasten the spacer to the tripod, so I'm not too worried. I need to buy a long 3/8-16 eye bolt to use to hold the head on, then I can also use the eye to hang weights or tie it down. And since the adjustments on my tripod can be a little crude, the leveling base might be nice. If I decide it is a hassle, I'll sell it. Didn't realize how much those went for new, so I should be in good shape for the price I paid. And at any rate, the second adapter is on the way, so too late to do anything else.