Man Bottleveg, you know the deal on these SoM bases, and also the VA series.
A few years ago, I saw one of these engines running here, with NO cowls on of any kind, and have been told its been running this way for 5 plus years. If I had a smart phone then I would give you photos of this event. The conditions here make having cowls on an engine a bad thing. Salt levels in the air and such, and with the Lister VA, you never had to look at it cause you didnt have to worry about overheating, like my paranoia of my liquid cooled clone. Abuse is/was rampant.
VA One was started on its own on August 21st, and ran like a champ. I was not witness to the show, but my brother and the video says that it ran on its temporary pallet without issue. He says with minimal bleeding, and a gallon 2stroke oil jug sitting on the valve cover, it fired on the first swing.
I did plan to slam a SoM alternator flywheel onto it, without of course thinking that the damned thing will not fit. Anyhow, I am going to have the flywheel bored and keyed to the ST shaft. God knows what it will cost here, but I know the final product will almost be perfect. I'm not for the modification of old things normally, but I cant call up George at utterpower for a 45 pound flywheel in twin B belt style either. I figure I could convert to a taper lock down the road and make it fit a SoM head, without much issue.
Rom