Right now I can't afford to pay online for a manual and this is the reason why I sent a private message to a member who happen to have a copy of the Kenmore sewing machine manual 158.017740.
With the Regent sewing machine I'm not sure about the needle it looks too exposed, in my opinion where the needle is position it's the wrong way it was design. I don't know why but when I sew with my regent sewing machine, the bottom thread jams between feed dog.
the first picture shows the needle position is on the left side, second photo, the needle is position in the left hand side.