Wow, I count a total of eight big-tooth smileys... might as well add one myself
Jaerrak's Burning Ray: True, True, I didn't have my PhB for comparison, unfortunately.
Spark: I actually missed the Daze effect, would you believe.
Steal Strength: Here, I will actually enforce my choice on level. Yes, it drains 3 ability points in total (which is actually what would be drained in average by Ray of Enfeeblement... well 3.5 is actually the average for that, so its not that much below RoE).
But, it adds 3 ability points to an ability score (for a short time, but still). No other 1 st. level spell gives any bonus to an ability score, in my recollection.
Tree Curse: Didn't have the MM either, I just seemed to remember that Outsiders couldn't be polymorphed... or was that wrong? I presume you didn't mention Shapechangers since you are upgrading to 3.5? And I still think its a very cool spell, Ill start casting Dispel Magic on every tree I come across now
Weakness: Well, true. I just normally stay clear of making too similar spells, unless there is a real gap in spell level. Off course, im neurotically nervous of being called a rip-off, since I have to publish them
Heat Ray: I made a few spells for own use that were slightly altered spells, especially for the lower levels. Now I prefer using Energy Substitution. Did you see Law's Spells?
Anyways, I couldn't really find anything on most of them. They follow the DMG guidelines for damage cap and so forth, and many of the evocations are pretty straight-forward.