ORIGINAL: itsnotskidding
i had the same engine dude, it is very rich from factory... and they need a bit of leaning to get the torque they are well known for, i had the 3speed also, its a pain of an engine, temps on mine were around 210 but still on the rich side, but watch you engine!!...
after 3 gallon the o.s is no longer as powerfull as it once was...
my suggestion to anyone buying an o.s engine is get the most from it rather than be "to" safe with the rich settings... as it will lose the life fast...
good engine but for ther money i wish i had bought a nosram...[&o]
If you lost life after 3 gallons then you did something wrong.
IMHO, if you're breaking in that engine and not getting over 200 degrees then, yes, you are doing harm.
I've been at this hobby over 40 years and have an os .10 engine that is litterally 20 years old and still runs strong.
It's not the engine that's at fault...