You are so right TOM. I would have never thought to check on something like gaskets on a new engine. Especially a 3-w. I have used this engine for about 10 years with no problems. It just went from plane to plane. I have another 3-w a 100 and when I get time I may take a hard look at that engine too.
I too tell my customers to tune their new gas first before flying the plane. As you so rightly have pointed out to hear someone say "I have never needed to touch the needles" drives me up a wall. I can hear the burble in the air why can't they. I just keep my mouth shut unless they ask. To them the pop pop is normal.
When the kit come in and i get this plane in the air I'll report back, hopefully with good news. Dennis