It depends on what you call progress...
Anyway, as far as the spark goes I'm hoping things pan out when I have the engine back in. Two of the head cover bolts were stripped when I bought it. I thought I'd try to get something working without removing the head but it just was becoming a pain so I took the head off and purchased a 6mm helicoil set. I still need to install the helicoils....maybe tonight.
Once it's buttoned back up and installed back in the frame I'll work on sparky again. As stated above, the washers on the spur gear are most likely why it wasn't spinning up.
The outer washer for the spur gear looks as if it was put on the outside of the starter gear.
The spur gear has a kind of lip with teeth on the outside edge. I'm suspecting that that may have been binding against the side cover but that is just a guess...
BTW, I've been thinking that I might get a gasket kit for this thing since I now have it all apart. I'd like some opinions as to whether it would be necessary. I really just want to get it running and sell it but don't want it leaking oil again.
The existing gaskets seem fine.
ALSO, I have permatex red sealer...would that work on the head cover???
thx