Bad news.

I pulled the engine out of it's solvent bath and bolted up the prop.

A good twist on the prop, and the crankshaft set itself free, and turned.

The bad news is, the crankshaft is binding on the case! It cannot turn over freely in its races.

I will re-package the engine into its box and send it back to Carlson Engine Imports for exchange.

It is a pity, as in many ways the engine seems well enough made and is of apparently sound design. The finish on my example is superior to that shown in the link above. I was really looking forward to firing it up and reporting on its running qualities and performance.

However, it seems that quality control is an issue; and that purchasing an Aurora something of a lottery as to whether you will get a good one or not.

I may report here again (take 2!) once the replacement is to hand.