[chumbucket]

You got all that for a toolbox? Nice work! ;D Actually the Force motors aren't as bad as they used to be after 1992 I think. It was about this time that Mercury Marine took over the controls of their operation even though they were a subsidiary before that time. Run the motor until it dies would be my feeling. If the dck needs complete recoring, you may as well either pull the top cap or cut the whole deck off. Then you can get at the stringers and the transom work will be a lot easier.
Keep us posted. I like this kind of stuff.