Dwayne, from my experience these are my answers to your questions. #1- the wired carb should work just fine, I have a couple on combat planes that work great like that. #2- I have only had to add an extra gasket one time, can't remember why but most of the time on 1/2a engines you want or need as much compression as you can get, the norvels handle it just fine,. #3 - The Ame version does beg for fuel, a thin bladder of sort is usually best, muffler pressure will work, tapping the backplate adds a lot of steps to starting and getting a good run. My advice is if you want to use the ame , try it first with muffler pressure. My 1/2a pathfinder needed so much nose weight , I tried the .061 , then the .074 and settled on a os max 10. Have not flown mine yet, I believe Eric V. has some that fly really good on a .061. Good luck!!

Dwayne, from my experience these are my answers to your questions. #1- the wired carb should work just fine, I have a couple on combat planes that work great like that. #2- I have only had to add an extra gasket one time, can't remember why but most of the time on 1/2a engines you want or need as much compression as you can get, the norvels handle it just fine,. #3 - The Ame version does beg for fuel, a thin bladder of sort is usually best, muffler pressure will work, tapping the backplate adds a lot of steps to starting and getting a good run. My advice is if you want to use the ame , try it first with muffler pressure. My 1/2a pathfinder needed so much nose weight , I tried the .061 , then the .074 and settled on a os max 10. Have not flown mine yet, I believe Eric V. has some that fly really good on a .061. Good luck!!

Ray,
Out of curiosity, what is the weight of your 1/2A P'Finder w/ the Norvel .061? Reason for question - I have built and flown (3) 1/2A P'Finders w/ Norvel .061's. All weigh in the low 11 oz range (if I remember correctly, shop is out back). I moved engine back 1" to get balance at design cg. I do build the lightweight fuselage, stab and elevators, per plans.
Thx,
Roger Vizioli

Ray,
No problem re . referring to Eric.
See your e-mail for pics, had trouble posting here. ?? I did post same ages ago, no problem.

Roger V.