As follow-up:
I finally found my installation & operation manual for our SW6DEM water heater.
The expanded view and parts list does NOT show a separate component, gas flow restrictor. Part #30 is called the "Burner Assembly with Orifice".
So, the orifice (the pin hole opening in the photo) is, itself, the flow restrictor and it's an integral part of the burner assembly. As I read it --- there is no tiny, internal, flow restrictor that can be lost.
The warning label on the inside of the water heater's door(IMHO) seems to be misleading in its reference to this component.
As I said before, a separate flow restrictor was not there when I disassembled the burner assembly & the unit worked fine when I put it back together.
So, I feel I've done my due diligence on this matter. I have the expanded parts view from the manual to reassure me.
But I recommend leaving propane issues to qualified service tech's.
Eric
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