Ken, I saw some of the exact things you are saying too but it may help many people check the simple stuff over before they get frustrated and take stuff apart unnecessarily causing more damage .
I like his crank seal check.
I like his brake light checks.
I have never damaged a motor with starting fluid nor proved that any motor was damaged by it. I will on occasion use some fogging oil if a motor has not been started in a long time. It clings.
I like his estimate of distance for timing. It gives a starting point.
If you open the link there is lots more too.