I've had one sitting in my workshop for a while now too, I put a G-26 up front, and I can tell you after about 20 flights it is definatly not too heavy!
The plane flys awesome with the gasser up front. I used one of Bennets headers (fits in the cowl with only one cut for exaust exit) I opened the right side for the carb. The plane has more than enough wing to carry the weight. I mounted my battery aft of the rudder and elevator servos. It balances very nicely.
The G-23 will need firewall standoffs of about 7/8 of an inch. No problem with engine cooling. Give it a try.... you won't be sorry