I didn't need to try the thinner. I was looking over the guys shoulder as he finished them the other day. He did a leak test like it for me. I painted all the parts Thursday night and got it going Saturday morning.
It has more torque and power than ever. No noises either. The best way to describe it is like this. Just about any vehicle with a granny gear does not need throttle to be applied when you let out the clutch slowly in that gear. I used to have to give a little in second. Now, I can let the clutch out in second like it was a granny gear and third from a stop just needs a toe twitch to make it go. I only drove it up and down my dirt road, so I haven't opened it up yet. I have to get Jennifer to help me put the freshly painted hood back on before I get on the road. I will drive it to work Tuesday and play then.