Call Bennche USA and maybe they can point you in the right direction. They are an assembly plant and seller for what is a rebranded product. Possibly they might even have engines to sell.
Only thing I can think of that you haven't already done is look at the fuel pump. There is a filter on it but you have to pull the pump to look at it. If that is the problem consider installing an inline filter before the pump.
Not sure about that particular model but there should be a fan gear under a small cover on the engine that connects to the shifter rod. Remove that cover to see if those gears are stripped.
It's the design on the majority of them. Anything that will fit the cramped space of the engine compartment will have minimal results. I've read some people have fairly decent results with aftermarket exhaust/muffler systems. Only good thing is the heat coming off the engine in the winter, not so much in the summer.
Kinda sounds like some kind of fuel starvation. Possibly clogged lines or fuel pump or maybe the injector. Try disconnecting the fuel line from the injector body and put it in a large container to catch the fuel. Crank it over and see how much fuel your getting. Of course be very careful when doing this and just a few seconds should show you if enough fuel is coming out. If that looks good I'd suspect the injector.
Check the starter motor, make sure it works. Trace connections and wiring from motor back to the solenoid, make sure all is good. Check for voltage on motor side of solenoid when key is in start position.
You've checked the radiator cap is good? Run it parked for a bit with cap off and watch to see if coolant seems to be flowing. Sounds like cap could be bad and not providing seal under pressure.
I'm betting the marks are there just very easy to miss as they fly by that hole when looking and turning the shaft. My motor actually has some leading marks a V mark, the mark is TDC.