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I'm tempted to file the fin edges flat. Should I do that or would it detract from the originality of the Engine?

You should not do that.

Agreed.

Sacrilege!

It's your engine to do with as you wish

But
You have a 350 Desmo and if you want it to look as it was when new. Or better.
Strip it and wet blast the cast bits and polish the shiny bits.
You will be astounded how pretty it will be.
They are a very well made casting.
Think about the chap that drew the engine on a drawing board,
The chap that made the moldings,
The chap that cast all the castings,
All before computers and CNC machines.

Nice engine, my vote/opinion, don't do it.

Graeme

OK. Thanks for the feedback. Please tell me what is "wet blast"ing. I'm a bit ignorant about blasting.

There are a few around Australia now days.
Here is one very good one I have used.
http://www.wetblasting.net/
There is another fellow on the Sunshine Coast Qld

Graeme

Soda blasting: http://www.tasmansodablasting.co.nz/projects/
You can make a blasting gun at your home and do the job in your yard (search the net). Baking soda is a cheap stuff, ~1-2€/kg, and environmentally compatible. But, protect your eyes and try not to inhale the dust clouds.

cheers Hans

Thanks for those links. I have looked at some options for blasting & now ask if it is possible to use the low pressure wet blasting method to clean the rough cast surfaces whilst protecting the smooth bits with layers of tape or silicon or something (without stripping the motor). Then remove the covers & buffer them?

I don't think they will do that. I know Specialised Blasting won't but you could ask whoever is doing it where you live?
It is a very gentle process that won't mark gasket faces.
The pieces need to be free of grease, oil and paint.

I've seen whole engines soda blasted to clean the castings and the polished bits were taped up.
Soda blast will remove paint but isn't as nice a finish as wet blasting.

Where are you?