Any accurate thermometer is fine. I use the "socks" but a lot of people prefer not using them. You can buy white cotton socks in the baby dept of Wal-Mart for a very low price and they aswell as the stuff from the hobby shop. I've heard of using the fingers from cotton gloves on trim irons but have never tried it.

I've never heard of an engine mount built to create right thrust but anything is possible. How about some specifics of what you actually have?