RE: ZDZ GONE BAD!!!!!
Mike,
Though I can see both sides of this problem, taking everything into consideration I don't see why you couldn't just bite the bullet and replace the engine. Using to much sealant and clogging the pulse hole will certaintly make the engine run poorly, if running at all, but I don't see how that would have anything to do with a part of the engine dislodging, getting ingested and ruining the engine. Perhaps a drop of loctite on that screw would be in order before mounting the carburetor.
DKjens