[THEFERMANATOR]

That must be how they started making there I/O's because the 85 sea-drive I looked at definately had wood all the way across. There is no cracking in my transom and the wood that is there is good, but it would have to be re-inforced to hang a bracket on it. I'm thinking of installing 2 big braces from top to bottom like the 85 I looked at had and putting a bracket on it with my 140. But I want to sea-trial it first with the current egine to see how it rides and handles. The previous owners rebuild job was less than stellar.

Do you think installing standard pistons in a block that has been bored .020 over will keep it from idling?

At least that's what I'm betting is wrong with it. Should have heard all of the piston slap :o!