you should check the carb that is causing the problem, before you check any/every thing else out. Like I said I had a similar issue, there was a tiny, little piece of something that looked like part of a leaf stuck in one of the jets. You could talk to Tom about warranty and such, but I never even gave it a second thought. Sounds like you have already had it apart anyway.
Sure wish he hadn't staked all threaded items though, wasn't quite sure I was going to be able to put it back together. You wouldn't be driving it all with the timing 180 out, as it won't even think about starting.
