I went over it and yes the thrust bearing is as it should be. I played with the mower for an hour or two yesterday and got everything fixed bar the starter solenoid which just rattles when the key is turned with a full battery.
I bought the mower as a project but it was easier to fix than anticipated. The guy I bought it from had done some dodgy work but no parts were required to fix it, just tools and patience. He told me it ran rough and was hard to start - but he had the high air fuel screw screwed hard in. Backed it off, got it started with the pull start, tuned it, added the throttle cable & adjusted a few things and she runs like a dream.
Once I finished my first mow last night my neighbour and I started some backyard mower racing... We enjoy the simpler things in life out here.
