2donkeys, we have started to think about replacing our 14th engine, (7 sets) and no problems.
The biggest killer of engines is engineers who miss time the magnetos and fail to set the idle fuel flow (unmetered)and again with the top end fuel flow. (max takeoff flow)
Remember that variations of the IO-520 spin at 3400 rpm, so therefore at 2700 rpm or thereabouts there won't be any problems.
Floatplane operators routinely adjust their prop govenors to give themselves 3000rpm on t/o.
[This message has been edited by Office Update (edited 10 June 2001).]