tell me about it.  thanks

Went out to laughlin and took the boat out, after cruising around and watching the rpm's i am contimplating doing a motor swap from the 455 to a 454.  Just a few rookie questions about it. 

Does the 454 need to be a marine motor or can it be any old 454?
Obviously motor mounts would change and also the starter/headers as well what else would change?
How complicated would the process be?
Would i have to change the jet or the impellar?

I just feel like i have to be a damn mechanic everytime I take the boat out.  I had to adjust the jets on the carb so that it didnt run so lean when i went out to laughlin.  I would rather not have to work on it everytime i take it out.  Just looking for a more reliable and hopefully faster motor.

New pics of the scoop and rear of the boat as asked.  Going out this weekend to laughlin hopefully next week the interior will get started, and going to send out the intake manifold, valve covers and the t-stat cap to get blasted.  She looks a lot better 

Got a spark arrestor and scoop on summit should have it in  a couple days.

did you sell it all?

Yeah im sure you did see it out at elsinore.  The guy i bought it from lives here in temecula and  is kinda chubby red hair.  When i got it the throttle linkage on the carb was rusted so bad it wouldnt budge, the fuel pump wasnt working and none of the guages were either.  What kind of advice did you give him?  The firing order was backwards and the points in the distributor were shot.  So i got the points and condensor replaced and got the timing right, and took her out again and she runs great.  Just wondering if i could be getting a little more out of her.

Just picked up this boat and it is my new project.  Its a 1969 biesemeyer jet boat with a 455 olds motor in it.  Has a mild cam, mallory distributor, msd ignition coil, edelbrock intake manifold and carb, also a carb scoop.  Hardin marine valve covers, nicson headers, berkley jet.  Has original paint that I plan on restoring same with the interior.  have any tips or ideas that will help make  Ive taken her out 3 times and can tell i will always own a boat, its too much fun.  Here are a couple pics of the very beginning.