The tank is new because this is a new plane and my other tanks were either too large, too small or the wrong shape. I needed a rectangular/square tank that was about 2" high and 3 1/2" - 4" wide. The closest one I had was an oval shape.

All the bolts on the backplate were tight and the carb was tight and I verified the carb was clear by blowing through it and both ways through the needle valve. I removed and replaced the muffler bolts (using locktite) and inspected the muffler - no sign of exhaust leakage. The low end has not been touched. It was "dialed in" for the idle, etc. when I had the engine in a different plane last year. I even put some vasoline around the backplate and the outside of the carb in case there was a problem with the gaskets possibly being cracked/leaking. The only thing that may/should require changing is the high speed needle setting. The engine has not been crashed or even had a prop break on it. I changed planes because I was having trouble controling the plane it was in and didn't want to crash it (Cap 232 - it is too much plane for me right now).

I had it at the field today and tried 2 different brands of fuel with the same results. I use Powermaster 15%. I tried Byron 10% and Omega (Cool Power ? - green bottle) 15%.

Two of the local engine "gurus" were also at the field today and neither one could find anything wrong either (we also tried a Fox Miracle plug, K&B and McCoy plugs).

The only thing I haven't done yet is to pull the head. The head gasket should be OK though since the compression is excellent.