Rob, glad u caught the problems early! hope u have good luck with the fresh motor, be careful for sure. try to treat that big 540 with care. i know that the "run em hard" crowd still says that, but u might just fly it normal and let it live to TBO...
one thing i've learned about air-cooled motors in all my years, is that they work a lot different than most people think...some will tell u that they run all the knobs forward all the time, but i dare say that a lot of those same people dont have to pay for the motors they toast. if u fly mine by the book, which is 23 sq, about all u accomplish is a lot of fuel burn and a u build a lot of heat to manage, and u gain a whole 5 knots...! pulled back fuel is at 12gph, and cht's never over 365...lots smoother and quieter...and i run the best fuel i can get hold of....i save the high revs and such for the short stuff...

