Well, i will have to try the pinch method with the cowl off, the cowl's bottom is pratically all cut open, the 2 inlet holes have been cut 1/4 inch off around it to allow extra air in, also the side of the cowl has a hole the same size as the head, but head does not stick out at all. i am running 12x6 prop.

the reason i use temp gun is because i dont want to melt this expensive engine! i've been around cars and trucks forever, i was into planes before i graduated from HS in 97, then completely stopped it, but continued cars and trucks. But i do have 4 helis. everything runs great, except for my first nitro car lol, but its all good now. so this plane is the first plane i bought by myself. I just dont want to fry the engine. Plus i have read other peoples comment on the engine on this forum and other places, they saay that it verticals crazy, some with funtana 50. mine, just barely wants to climb. plus they say they are running 14,000 rpm or more. i cant get it past 11500. but again, i will try again tomorrow with the pinch method. I used the tach to watch it until it drops then back out few clicks, but when i do that, it overheats and dies.

Let me do another test tomorrow and get back.