thanks Seafordguy, actually right now it’s ok as the project will take months, if not years to finish. So I’m taking things apart, inspect and clean them, then I order spare parts and refurbishing kits and have all send to a warehouse in Miami where it’s consolidated and then send to me when I tell them. With customs clearance and all it takes a month or two.
Problem will be one day in a far future when I urgently need something for a day on the water and have to wait that long.

Sheesh, it’ll be like painting the Golden Gate Bridge, just when you get it done you’ll have to go back to where you started.....

Isn’t it always like that when you have a boat?

I wronged my mechanic calling him lazy when in fact he passed away last week.
That’s a shame, this funny little guy was a great help and he could reach parts of the bilge I’m just too big for. Also the only one I know who had experience with gasoline inboards as they are so rare here.

So I’m on my own now and have to see how to get the engines out. Thinking of making two plates which will attach to the marked points with an eye on top for the hook. Don’t want to ruin the aluminum heads.
Good idea or not?

How about 4 - 6" long bolt in front port exhaust bolt hole and one in back starboard exhaust bolt hole. Then use a lifting strap with two eye ends (one on each bolt) and lift. Make sure lifting strap will hold weight.

I’ve seen photos were it’s done as you suggest but I’m a little wary of putting all the weight on the heads as they are aluminum. Or isn’t that a problem?

This is what I made, locate the eyelets on opposite front and rear corners of the heads, dont worry about the aluminum heads if you are pulling straight up with the 3 bolts attached to the lifting eye

Nice! Will try it out, seems to be straight forward. Thanks!

Followed your advice

I've always lifted mine by the aluminum intake manifolds.....

Mine have the typical lifting eyes attacked to the two port/front and two starboard/rear intake bolts