Hi Phil:
Thanks for the reality check! Why go through so much work for so little possible gain?
I have not tried the McCoys yet but I have run the Brodak and it is a great running engine. What I was looking to gain, easier starting and less weight. I would save about 1.5 oz. with the Brodak which may allow me to avoid using very little tail weight if any. The F-51 is quite a small plane so less engine weight would be great. I have a couple of kits for the F-51 so perhaps an old ST G20/.23 would be a good choice for those kits.
Thanks for the replies,
Frank McCune