I hate soldiering control rods, Like on the GP Pitts and TF mustang.

Mugenkidd, Here what I've been doing on the last few planes and it works great. Find the proper distance for the thrust washer. Mount the cowl at the proper distance and square. Mount the engine on the mount at the proper distance. Then stand the plane on the tail ( do this before mounting the rudder) Set the engine on the fire wall then remount the cowl. Now you can move the engine around to get it to line up with the hole. Use your GP center finder to mark the mount holes. I did this with my GP Pitts and TF Mustang.