Gearbox check before assembly

I was about to put engine together, but stopped unsure. Following FSM. Need to check 2 things:
1. First gear spins freely. I assume Output shaft need to be out to check? Otherwise it doesn't spin freely. Without output shaft - it does. Gap is about 0.5mm between gear and washer. If I ready manual correctly - all is well here.. But what is the point? How it can not "spin freely"????

2. 2nd gear gap. This one measures as 0.5mm but manual calls for 0.1-0.3. I have 1mm steel washer there so it looks like I need 2x 0.7 washers instead. Correct? What this going to affect? How critical? I really don't want to wait another month for those washers...