What's the spade connection for in the second picture?
The kill switch. Early 08 and S10 had a sprung push button in front of the choke slide. Push the button down and its plate contacts this connector.
It looks like that air vane linkage rod will be long enough if bent back straight, with an end bend to catch the vane lever.
The S10 top handle and rear handle versions share the same chassis and early motor, differences are in the top covers, added rear handle/trigger and air filter setup. A lot of 08 parts will interchange with a top handle S10. And other than the logos on the sides of the oil tanks, there are no differences between 08, 08s, or S10 tanks.