After enlarging the photo, does anyone else see the rough end on the lifter near the center arbor in post #23, as if it has suffered some damage? It looks to me like the upper part of the tip has broken off. If that’s the case, the spring may not be original, but simply an attempt to add length to the lifter tip.
On re-examining the photo, I think the tip is rough, but could be all there. The lighting and angle is maybe deceiving me. Checked an earlier photo and the tip of the lifter is fine. The lower portion of the helper spring is out of position and surely causing the early strike. Check the photos of my HAC in my post #28.