I am just getting into gas engines for WWI planes and like tinkering with engines, making parts and wondered if most convert to save money or just for the fun of "building their own engine"

If you can buy a Zenoah 26 for $240, I cannot figure out how there is much savings. Thought I might start with a factory engine and maybe convert later unless their is improved performance or some other reason for converting. Looks like you might get a bigger displacement engine for the same $$. Converting does seem like a fun project.