Welcome Saul
The unique 70 parts are a long list , it would take a while to list all of them & i would still forget a bunch , what parts do you need & we can help with the differences .
Using a fused power wire to the dimmer in & out to the orange originally circuit will restore the lights , factory gauges need a power wire to the volt regulator sending 5v to the gauges
My suggestion is the clutch not releasing fully , I have had a lot of problems with CF clutch clutches in the past .
If ti shifts fine off or moving that still makes sense , something is wrong with the clutch
Sounds like the wires are crossed at the trans switch , the two outer wires are power in & out for the reverse lights & the center is the ground for the start solinoid
You do not want to go lower than 180* , but tuning the carb precisly could help , it may be to rich when hot or a Coolcarb spacer to keep the carb temp down .