My head started to hurt reading all this. If I remember correctly the Thunder Tiger started the same direction as outboards. They were never the top performing motor but they run really smooth at idle and in the water. They make great sport running motors.
If I still ran boats and had this motor I would see if it started one direction & if it ran smooth enough I would throw it into the lake.
Then if it took off you started it right! If it died right away it iis probably running the wrong direction or running to lean. Then pay attention to needle settings by seeing if it stays running, or dies. If it dies part way through the run bring it back in with a tennis ball & fishing pole, If the glow plug is melting it is to lean. This just some novice advice passed on to me and my father more than 20 years ago.
The nitro motors can be tricky to keep running, compared to gas or FE!