just sell the fucn thing and get a v-....

That is a possibility but it would never happen until after the Rogers was on the water with me as it's owner.   

shit i'll have my tahiti done before he even gets close, and i dont even have it yet

Since the engine builder I'm using broke his ankle and leg, you're probably right. 

there was a '18 Tahiti on craigs last night w/ a 150 hp Merc for FREE!! needed upholstry and carbs cleaned out

I already have a family boat and have zero interest in getting a second one.    (i.e.: my boat isn't going to have an outboard.)

We're learning a lot on this thread of my Rogers build aren't we...

 

Depends what he is trying to accomplish. Without a breather, no fresh air will circulate into the crankcase, meaning no fumes will be drawn through into the intake. Hence, no ventilation and the benefit of a standard PCV system won't be there. I can only assume that he is suggesting it as a "poor man's" way of building crankcase vacuum which is usually done to assist in ring seal. Not sure how much benefit there will be as the manifold vacuum in your boat engine at pretty much any speed above idle will be quite low. In a car, things would be different. Not saying his idea wont work or will cause problems, just kind of question its effectiveness.

I was doing some more reading in this thread. Saw your issue with the head studs. Did you get that figured out? Did the nuts torque properly without bottoming on the threads of the studs?

Probably trying to do like Milodons Vac-u-pan except with vacuum instead of exhaust (wich we all should do since our boats don't have mufflers )
Keep them pics coming...  always look forward to your progress

Rebel