Harmful ebuild?

[lekto]

Sometimes I need specific version of package that isn't in exact version in main portage tree, so I copy ebuild to my local repository and then edit it to get version I need. Sometimes I only need to change filename, but sometimes I need edit ebuild. Usually I edit ebuild using trial and error method.
I wondering is trial and error method safe? Can I damage system or portage is idiot-proof?

[bunder]

theoretically yes, but unless you were to stick something like rm -rf / into one of the stages (like src_install), it's pretty harmless. either it builds, or it doesn't, and if it builds, it either installs or it doesn't. typical worst case scenario, you clutter up /var/tmp/portage with half-built packages.
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[fedeliallalinea]

Depend also what package is.
If package is a library used by others packages in the system that don't support the specific version you can break something
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