Red - Where did you source the motor?
My friend and I bought two 1 ton truck, pick-ups, from a state vehicle auction, the trucks were rough, but both drove home, I got the motors and my buddy parted out the trucks, identical motors, thick blocks with 4 bolt mains, same block as marine applications.
Buying a whole boat is the way to go alright, but I have been parting out I/O boats for several years, was a licensed used boat dealer here in Oklahoma for 7 years. until last week-end, I had more used Mercruiser motor parts, hoses, and mr drive stuff than you could shake a stick at, but since I don't use the older stuff anymore, I had a real Garage Sale, sold two fellows a pick-up load each, kinda funny, I sold all that stuff, and ya can't tell it by looking in my garage .. it's Still a Mess.