Well I'm happy to report that last two little loose ends have been addressed on my 394.
Throttle issue: turns out that the throttle lock spring was shifting out of it's slot on the left side of the throttle trigger causing the binding issue. I found that it was holding me back more than I thought. I was lacking almost the last full third of the throttle range to WFO! I tweeked the spring a little bit and now it stays in it's slot. And what a difference that last third of throttle makes!
The other issue was the whole early 394 clutch cover and the shorter chainbrake spring with it's discontinued cover.
@XP_Slinger modified the late style chainbrake spring cover while I was fiddling with the throttle (thanks man) and it came out nicely. I didn't think to snap a pic so if anyone wants to see I'll get one next time I have the clutch cover off. But it is pretty straight forward what you need to do.
So now I have my shiney NOS early style 394 clutch cover on and this build is officially completed! Thanks again to all for the advice and help along the way, thanks to
@srcarr52 for the work on the cylinder, and thanks to my brother XP_Slinger for the use of the barn. Had alot of fun building this saw.
Next project will probably wait till later this year after our family camping trip...but I think it's going to be a 281 build.
