Phil. Good point about limited vintage engines and parts. For CMP's, I suspect the Chev fans will hit the wall sooner than the Ford fans as far as the supply of the vintage 216's and parts running out. It completely lacks the 'hot rod capability' the Ford V8 gained which has kept modern blocks and parts in good supply for it, though not without modification challenges in their own right.
I read this weekend of a Spanish Buschon 109 restoration in the USA somewhere that have encountered a similar dilemma. The original Daimler engines for the Me 109 are so hard to find and rebuild costs so steep, they are working on an Allison conversion for their project. It is apparently a smaller block than either the Daimler or Rolls engines with a good supply still around and they discovered, with some skilled engineering, it will fit within the original Me 109 G9 cowl work. If it all comes together as planned, they end up with a plane that can be easily converted to the Daimler in the future, but can still fly now without having to be concerned about nursing as much time as possible out of required engine hour time between overhauls.
Now as long as the powers that be don't continue to mess with gasoline octane ratings...
David
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