*heh*

It would appear I started a more spirited discussion than was my intent.

Ah well...I've done the initial start, found the 'ideal' needle valve setting, and just now did the first tank of fuel at full throttle with the needle backed off 1/2 turn from ideal, per manual's instructions. (forgive me if, when there seems to be considerable disagreement, I decide to do what the manufacturer says to do )

Thus far it seems like a good running engine (there were no hiccups of any kind during the full tank) and, judging from picking the aircraft up while running, it's not much different from the old magnum 40 in terms of thrust, so i should be relatively comfy flying the stick with the new motor.

Ken, I'll keep in mind what you've said about taking 20 or so flights to really get good and loose. I'll probably spend the weekend flying her 10-15 times, slowly adjusting the needle back toward max rpm, hopefully winding up by the end of the weekend at a couple clicks shy of max RPM, as we discussed before.

Really want to thank you all for your responses and thoughts in here...while, admittedly, i may have disregarded some advice in favor of the manual's suggestions, it's been an educational thread in terms of clarifying some of the processes and purposes involved in breakin.