Great responses - thank you very much! What I'm going to try is this: I've ordered the gasket set but will put the engine back together today with no head gasket for the time being per w8ye's post. I'll set the valve clearance to .03-.1 mm (.001-.003 in.) at TDC per another post I found here. I'll check the timing (again, with the help of another post) and put on the choke assembly. I have no access to a 14x6 prop but can get one by Tuesday. Anything else you gurus recommend I check while I have it taken apart?