Idle setting

After installing a tach, I was able to get that down to 550, nice and smooth, with just the carb adjustments.

Today, I followed the procedure for dialing in the governor (it wasn't even close) and got a range of 525 to 2300.

As indicated in the book there is no tension on the governor spring when the low end stop-bold just touches the stop. The spring is fully closed on itself. Looks nice and clean in there.

Question is, should I 'sweat' that extra 100RPM at idle, or just worry about more important things in life? It's running about 425 cold, but works its way up to 525 when it warms.

The throttle stop appears to be out as far as it does any good to move it.

Is there perhaps a throttle return spring that I'm not seeing that is weak?

Also... the first 1/3 of the power lever really has no effect. I easily get to full governed RPM on the last few notches. Normal? Not normal? Fixable?

The increased RPM when hot also sounds normal. Mine doesn't throttle down all the way when hot like it does when cold. I wouldn't worry about it. Sounds to me as though you've got it adjusted just about right.