Hi again
..as u were gents.. solved it ! - turns out I'd got a shim from the crankshaft end float measurement exercise mixed up with the one for the back of the sprag/flywheel assembly.. we're talkin a couple o points of a mil on the micrometer here but it just goes to show how critical such things are...
..the sprag was locking up under torque and transferring the load to the idle gear and causing the bind up... s'pose it goes to show that possibly these things should be left to them that know.. on the other hand I'm perdy chuffed that i worked it out and sorted things without any major failings whatever
..second kick after the new rebuild an off she went... sweet as a nut hehehe... the fact that I had her parked in the sun lounge at the time and filled the house with the obvious fumes didnt seem to bother the family too much
so far so good
Dano