Well welcome back racerone, you hit the nail on the head about that motors starter man! hmm I wonder if that always happens (wedging in the reed plates)? Is it possible for the screw to go through any outboard reed plate?
But thats a good point you have. im not sure what the previous owner or son did, but he told me one day it just wouldn't stop idling high, he thought it was electrical, and he let it sit in the yard ever since...probably 2-3 years! When i get it all back together sometime this weekend i will go through the timing and sync stuff for sure and post back my findings.