Road to heck, and good intentions...

[headdownarseup]

Sounds like you're almost there with it now.
As long as there is a spark, fuel delivery (correctly supplied of course) and air, it has to run sooner or later.
I cant see any harm in soaking the ignition in de-ionised water. It must be thoroughly dried before you try it again though.

Yep, ht leads can be a bugger sometimes.
I'm in the middle of re-doing one right now with similar findings (yukky rust almost everywhere)

I'm finding a good replacement spring somewhat difficult, screws are no probs as are the brass nipples.

Jon