RE: Engine shoping
Best value in the 45size is the OS46AX.
One LHS buys them in quantity and makes a pyramid of them on the front counter. They price them at $95 and that LHS has rebuilt the pyramid more than once.
They break in easy. I've seen a couple that weren't broken in, just cranked and flown. Not a good idea even if it worked for those guys, but it suggests how good the things are. I've got more than one. OK, more than two.... ok..... And every one of them got one tank on the ground with the breakin suggested in the instructions. And have flown excellently well ever since. A couple have required slight adjustment to the lowspeed needle. A couple haven't needed it.
They pull like a bull and start with a touch of the starter.
When I'm not flying them, I'm usually helping somebody else get their engine started or sorted to run. Those engines? chuckle...... ain't a one of them a 46AX...... and every one of them was bought because the owner wanted to save $15 or $20. Seems they also save those owners time..... time they could be flying.