OK heres the deal.....
the way i see it, i have 2 options to get this boat on the water quick...
options.
1. Buy another engine ( found one here locally for $1300 complete drop in and go)
2. Drop in the Ferd , which would mean changing the set up buying new exhaust and so on.........
OR yank this bitch, tear it down and see where we stand.... before you say dont tear it down, it made one hell of a sound before shut down.........Metal to metal squeal..
This is why im looking into another engine, i found one here by my pad. this guy is building it for a boat ( he has no boat )
Its standard 2 bolt main with cast pistons , new bearings/rings, Comp 292 cam/lifters, Edelbrock intake/carb closed chamber heads.. just need to add the oil pan and oil with all the goodies i have now, break the cam in and send my G/F's dad on his way.. Remember HE IS PAYING FOR THIS $HIT not me!! i have my own boat to pay for

This engine in the Eliminator is a Hardin marine block with 990 heads that i want to keep and build for a spare Eventually

So am i crazy or does it sound like a plan

I would
LOVE to finish my boat this decade