Do you know if when turning the hand wheel, the pedal should also move?
Yes, when the hand wheel is turned, the pedal should move. Did you stretch the belt before installing?
Also, absolutely no luck with loosening the knob on the hand wheel so as to wind the bobbin,
I kind of wondered about the stop motion clutch knob had something to do with bobbin winding. Are you opposed to using kerosene? It sounds like the stop motion clutch knob needs to be removed, cleaned and oiled. Here is a link that may help -
https://theelusivebobbin.blogspot.co...tion-pt-3.html along with
https://oldsingersewingmachineblog.c...nger-part-two/ I would probably remove the belt guard to clean and oil the parts inside.
Check your PM.
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.