Gaskets???I run into shims, brass, on a few engines but not gaskets. I don't recall any shims on the LAs though. I guess I could pull the heads off a couple if anyone really needed to know for sure. Harry, a loose glow plug is going to make the engine loose compression and it isn't going to run very well at all. For people that are going to buy a new engine and plan on sticking with the planes that work ell with a .46 I try to steer them over to the OS .55 AX. It's small enough to power a 40 size plane and has enough power to fly a number of the 60 size ARFs. Not the power of a .60 but strong enough, sort of a multi use engine.
OP, I once bought a kit built Super Sportster at auction that was glassed and painted, I used a .46 LA and it flew the plane kinda OK, no ball of fire but OK if you had the air. I let a friend fly the plane and he didn't have the air!! I bought one of the 32 size Extras at auction for the engine that was in it. The plane was under my bench for over a year until I decided to assemble and fly it. I used the LA .46 and it was way good!! Until one of my solder joints broke on the elevator rod. The LAs do have a place in RC, not a real brute but an all around good engine. In the 40 size Up-Roar they are perfect.