Modelers,

Thanks for ALL of your responses. I’ve enjoyed ALL the banter about diesel fuel and the operations of diesel engines. Your insight and experience have helped me a good amount.

I’ve completed the “repairs” to the PAW 40TBR and they have been successful;

a) To “stop” needle wander, I used small lock washers to set the needle “torque-tight” at 1.5-1.75 turns open … and leave it there
b) For the “popped-out” rear backplate … I cleaned and reassembled using silicon sealant at hand “torque-tight” ... 24 hour cure
c) For the diesel fuel … I added some fresh ETHER (~2oz) to my existing “home brew” given above

Once these “repairs” were completed … it was back to the test stand and … YAHHHOOO!
I ran another three (3) 2oz tank runs for a total of 10+ runs and the engine performed well! ... very good!

I now consider this engine to be ready for regular use … the compression T-screw seams to work best set to about three (3) full threads showing from the TOP of the cylinder head … adjustments for operation are usually within +/- one-quarter turn … or so … time to move on to other u-control line flying preparations … thanks again!