Thanks again everybody, especially J Miller and Miriam! I'm not sure how she sews just yet, but she does run very smoothly. Hopefully the check spring will do the trick! She also needs a new belt, bobbin tire, bobbin case, and a rewire.
I'm not ashamed to ask for help... I'm just very determined to learn for myself! Best case scenario I learn a cool new skill relevant to my occupation, worst case scenario, I end up at the sew-n-vac.
This is my 3rd mid century Japanese machine. I'm quite addicted and I'm tempted to go back to the thrift store... somebody stop me, I'm running out of places to put them!