Hi SB45KIRBY,
What I find impossible to believe is that the clutch body can even run true as there is not enough original size shaft for the housing to sit stable on.
I feel that in the long term that problems will evolve again and it's only that it is a 14 inch machine that no vibration is being felt as the shaft length across the span is short opposed to a 17 or 20 inch.
Honestly I would find another power plant and do a transplant sooner than later as it will no doubt give you more grief.
There are plenty of discarded Kirby's around where you could use your current engine as a donor for all the bolt on stuff and also you'll get a proper recoil starter for ease of operation.
Cheers,
BB
