The cheeks should lay out almost the same as the Sundowner you can see in corner of the last picture, mating into the wing LE. I've done a lot of research and question asking about engine cooling when I got into gas engines. While you need the area for hot air to escape the cowl, the most important part is forcing the air to flow over the cooling fins of the engine, via baffles. But you already knew that. My 4s Saito shouldn't have a problem with cooling, and I wouldn't think your 2s should either, if tuned right. A good portion of the engine is hanging out in the breeze with mine. I'll probably build mine as the plans show.

Since you'll get there before me, post your weights and what you get for wing loading. I was thinking about that tonight. With the glass and paint I'm hoping to get on the high side of 7 or low side of 8 lbs finished, using specs as a baseline.