QJB,
Look on the internet for Pelican's Perch, download everything you can find there, and you will have some seriously good information about how to operate piston engines properly, as opposed to all the old wives tales and furphies that pass for "expert tuition" at too may flying schools.
Also email Deacon, the author, ask him for titles, then hunt the internet, starting with Amazon.
Manufacturer's manuals, if you can get originals --- ie; printed in the 1950s-60s, are some help, too many of the later editions have been written by the company liability lawyers, advised by new generation of professional engineers who are seriously clueless about piston engines.
You are starting with the right attitude and approach--- good on you!! Keep it up.
Tootle pip!!