That really looks like a good runner, all right, way better than mine. I made a flame licker from scratch once, and I got maybe two pops out of it before giving up and shelving it.
Bob get it off the shelf and on the work bench. I got this off of Ebay, a bit dirtier and it wouldn't pop at all. I added the pulley just so there was something to grab when turning it over. I cleaned it, and played with lining everything back up, adjusting this and that. Was about to give up and then it happened, it popped, and then another. Then two, three and so on. It started to warm up. All it needed was to be freed up good. No drag anywhere and a good seal on the gate when slides open and closed. A good seal when turning it over slowly with no flame, sounds like it's farting. It will run Bob.