First of all thank you to all the responses.
In the end I obtained a licenced pilot from the US who is also a A & P. WHO IS BEING PAID AT THE CORRECT US RATE.
I would also like to thank those that gave advice.
For those that are interested it is not easy converting an Australian, or my British licence to a US one. The FAA could not be more helpful. BUT the problem is the TSA you need a background check which takes 8 weeks minimum.
To those that gave advice re clearances etc etc. we had already flown from Tennessee across the Atlantic thru Europe, Middle East into Asia, before we had an engine problem. The US pilot who accompanied us had to leave, hence the requirement.
Dhavilland Pilot