Yep, pawls can’t be reversed because of the shape of the inner components and their fit around the mechanism which won’t operate correctly if they are.
Friction washers frequently stick to the steel washers of the starter mechanism but this isn’t an intended part of the design. It just happens because of long term contact and moisture in the atmosphere.
You have to assemble the whole thing the right way up and in the correct order as specified in the manual. That part is available here on the site. I’d put a link in but it’s easy enough to find.
My pawls that I hardened work well. I guess they changed to a less expensive source for the pawls at some point? Which would explain why some seem to last a long time and others are problematic.
