Well, I tried to start the beast in the driveway, I got nothin. NOTHING. Got spark, got fuel, got 150 compression. Nothing, not even with starter fluid. Drove myself crazy and gave up. Took it to Performax Marine. They found the problem. The flywheel key sheared, flywheel is trashed and garbage. Crank is slightly damaged. They say (I haven't seen it yet) the keyway has some tiny chips missing on the edges and they won't put it back together because of liability issues, which is fine, I understand ( they don't want their name on it). Anyway, that explains the knocking I experienced when it was out on the water, and why it wouldn't start.
So I am thinking I will put the new flywheel, new key, and new nut back together like this....(please let me know what you think or if you have any other ideas...), I am going to put some JB Weld in the keyway slot right before I insert the new key, and torque the flywheel back on. I think if I can get rid of any slop, if there is any, it might work. Maybe I didn't get the flywheel seated enough or tightened enough? Maybe the new powerhead's crank didn't match my old flywheel good enough? Why did this happen???? Anyone???....