Never Give Up
by Kegler

Eleven answers get modified a la 30 Across before entry.

Never Give Up grid

Across
2Cutting engine noise involves string (7)
7Unlikely winner Chaney’s on a roll, receiving $1,000 (4,4)
14Record company and Lincoln splitting 50-50 (5)
15Uttered expression meant to frighten Indian wood shop (8)
17Tracks errant salvo (5)
18Partially tear opening cord (4)
20Greek character rejecting the first nine letters (4)
21Admitting one sets back construction areas (5)
23Crass, perky Dotty’s tall building (10)
24Poisonous arachnids in crops so disastrous (9)
25Lucille returning to vote (6)
27Travel westward with son in Arab boat for kennel club presentation (3,4)
30See instructions
32Exercise system withdrawn in the past year (4)
34Having good judgment, ref easing off (9)
37More bashful about blemish and having a darker complexion (9)
39Decay seen in repulsive conservative R&D (3,3)
41Used a film about medieval European society (9)
43Expel all but the third caught off base, perhaps (3)
44Charge large honey badger (5)
45Excellent nurse corrected guarantee (6)
46Cover more distance than couple from Utah wearing orange (8)
47Pack animal driver arrived with smirk (8)
48Rev. Spooner’s wagered best Boston team’s cable TV equipment (3-3,3)
49“Playboy” stereotypically features allegedly aphrodisiac seafood (6)
Down
1Maiden from Cover Girl provided, at last, money order (8)
2Pat, Knicks’ center, welcomes three-man band inspired by love of country (9)
3Note action word “echo” (6)
4Actress Hagen in mountains, climbing with utensil (7)
5Egyptian flower’s unusual line (4)
6Starts to include questionable statistics for measures of brightness? (3)
8Bums trimming high reeds (5)
9Overheard suspected visitor (5)
10Clings to the hinterland (6)
11Excessive adulation for people who perish or stray (4,7)
12Little books Avon’s releasing new after October (7)
13Catches Spanish craft heading north (5)
16A bit of reverse twist on knuckles separates laces (7)
19Nothing in college educator’s mathematical demonstration (5)
22Got up around noon to grab some ice (4)
23Colosseum recalled hosting individual performance (4)
26Measure of heat in the empty room (5)
27Government agent, returning armed, is paid (8)
28Soldier can finally drink before my card game (3,5)
29Cleaner hugs upstanding Lt. Carver (8)
31Extremely small degree of hot air (4)
33Hospital within reach for poor section of city (6)
35Actress Dahl is surprisingly leaner (6)
36Sheet of solidified lava unskilled Chinese laborer described (6)
37Quit holding red leather band (5)
38A second complete collection is a desirable thing to own (5)
39Heard prized forest animals (4)
40Give a nickname containing a smear (4)
41Dinner course nearly upended, sadly (4)
42Performs with females (4)

Solution