My .02 cents for what it is worth.
Bear in mind I haven't even seen an 090. Only in pictures . But, it is still a chainsaw.
I would still like to have one.
I am familiar with those air vane govs from some of the older Homelites I have worked on. Yes, the vane is controlled by airflow from the flywheel. There should be some kind of adjustment like a small knob or nut you can turn to loosen or tighten. I don't think an adjustment is going to make that big of difference myself. As long as the vane and the linkages to the carb are working free and not binding then I would say your ok. The vane would be just a matter of fine tuning if the rest of the saw is in good working order. I am not an old saw expert but I think the vanes function is to keep the saw from revving up too quickly to avoid damage to the internal engine parts and keep the rpm's from getting too high. Sort of like a rev limiter that is found in today's saw in the ignition module.
That is all superficial as engine speed is governed by the amount of air the throttle plate in the carb is allowing to enter into the combustion chamber and the vacumm that is being created by the movement of the piston.
Personally I would be looking elsewhere. One sounds like it might have mechanical issues like crank bearings and seals. The other might have some kind of fuel delivery problems. I'd be checking for dirt in tank, mushy fuel line, fuel filter partially plugged, crummy carb inards, throttle plate not opening all the way, metering lever in carb set where it should be ect ect .