Gorish,

I have 2 Magnum 1.08s and both are great running engines. The Mag & the ASP are basically the same. Some ASPs have a higher compression for using a low or no nitro fuel in Europe. Stick to 10% or less is the best thing.

They are ABC engines so do not run them slobbering rich. The brass sleeve won't get hot enough to open up and you'll wear the piston prematurely.

They like a hot glow plug like a 4-stroke plug.

Don't listen to anyone about the carb. They are, or at least were, great. In my area, when we were running a lot of Super Tigre 2500s and 3000s, we would ditch the stock carb and use an OS 7D. They got too expensive so we started using ASP 1.08 carbs at $26 with the same results. I must have had 6 ASP 1.08 carbs at one time. I was at a giant meet many years ago up in Alabama and had an original, Stick type plane with tapered wings. One of the other guys couldn't get his 3000 to run and had put a gasser in his plane. I told him to let me try his engine. I hadn't flown or readjusted the ASP 1.08 carb. I bolted his 3000 on my plane, installed my Bisson Pitts muffler and my ASP 1.08 carb. No changes or adjustments, I just replaced the parts. I fueled up and flew 6 flights without touching the needles. I had six 1-flip starts and no in-flight failures. Don't tell me ASP 1.08 carbs are no good.

The 1.08 likes a large prop. Think of the engine as a tractor engine and not a racing engine. The best results I had were with a 15-8 or 16-6 prop. If you ever do find the instructions, do not believe them for props. They recommend a 13-8 or 14-6 or 8. Tried them all and the Mag .91 will out turn the 1.08 on those props. It need some big lumber to use the torque.

If you'll choke it wet, then slap the prop backwards, you should get a 1-flip start. Run up to full power and lean out, then back off a few clicks. Leave the battery on!! Start slowing down to see what low speed you can get. Once you get to a fairly slow speed let it run there for 10-15 seconds, then pop the power to it. If it rumbles and blows smoke, the low end it too rich. Screw the low speed jet in 1/8 of a turn. If the engine coughs and quits, it's too lean. Screw the low speed out 1/8 turn. Keep doing this until your needle is set. I like to have mine idle for a timed 60 seconds, then flip to full power with no or only a minor stumble. This will take a while if your needles are way off. I use a test stand that I roll out of my garage on a weekend afternoon to break-in & set my engines.