My two cents: The shock absorber is probably okay if the engine turns over fairly easily and has “bounce,” that is, backs off a compression stroke on it’s own, when pulled over. These engines like to put connecting rods through the side of the crank case if run on 50:1 mix. Some say 24:1 is okay; I say why risk it….run at 16:1. Keep in mind you will need a pressure-type; twin hose fuel tank for it, or you will have to convert it to a fuel pump; single line system, which isn’t as easy to do on a 7.5, as it is on some bigger models.. They are good running engines, when right.
Long live American manufacturing!
