Manks- I don't know how experienced you are in this hobby, but as a newbie myself I just want to say ENJOY your engine-fixing nitch. I get the impression there are all sorts of us who love the hobby but we all have different obsessions on certain aspects of it: Some are all about flying skill, some about hovering, some love building, etc. I've seen some crusty great flyers with disgusting-LOOKING planes which appall me, because I'm a covering, appearance, aesthetic guy. Yet my flying skills are nill compared to them. If restoring engines is your thing, then go for it man, and enjoy. My thing is I buy unwanted old trainers and restore and recover them and make them pretty again.

But one thing I have noticed is how well and easily some old broken-in engines start and run. I'm working on an old trainer now with a Magnum 46 and can't wait to get it done and covered just so I can start the engine and see how it runs. Half (or more) the fun is the stuff you do at home when you can't actually go out and fly.