I think Artisan was saying the same thing as I'm gonna try to...
If the engine gives you good signals while doing a test run on the stand, then it should be reliable enough to put on the plane without extended test stand running...(something like that, Ed?)
Most engines, I will run maybe 1, or 2 at most, tanks through just to get a general idea of where the carb is set, and to see if there are any obvious problems with it.
I will set the needles close to where I feel they need to be...a "baseline" setting...and, sometimes I just want to hear what it's gonna sound like!
[8D]
A time or two, I have gone thru the trouble of installing a new, un-tested engine on an airplane, and then having difficulties with it out at the field, and had to take it back off the airplane, etc. etc...pain in the neck...
(one was a front bearing that was pissing fuel out so badly, I had to send the engine back...actually, it was a defect in the case, but I digress )
I don't believe in extended test stand running either...
IMO it's a boring, obnoxious (the noise ) waste of fuel...and it gets the neighbors p.o.'d at ya too...