Nice that I can make myself useful now and than. Yea without the clip that crank will have LOTS of endplay and would really raise havoc on the mag side thrust area. The ball bearing could probably deal with it for a while but not flywheel side. Anyway, you did the right thing- :thumbsup:
Oh and YES it is a PITA to put the crank seal in with that crank sticking out there but Tecumseh makes a wiz/bang driver for doing it OR just take your time with a pipe, punch, hammer or all of the above and have at it.