[wendell]

Thanks for the replies. It's a little dangerous to toss around terms like "hot rod engine". I'm talking about a mild 383 with a standard ring pack, little hydro-roller cam and a pair of vortex heads. Not exactly ground braking. A motor like this could live and make max power at 3200rpm for life times. That said, it may very well not be needed. A GM crate long block w/ the existing accesories might serve the purpose. Time will tell. I'll have the boat in my shop today or tomorrow and will go from there.