Did you try a smaller prop? 260HP is not a lot for for a heavy 23' boat.

I was looking for pictures of the distributor area, including the quadrant that houses the top end of the shift cable. These might help me identify if it has the shift assist kit. Who make the distributor? Let me know.

I am fairly familiar with these as we had one in my mom's boat. I have done plenty of shift cables as well.

Appreciated Sprink, I think your right. I'll keep ya'll updated

Exhaust is not blocked???? I have seen the Y pipes in Mercruisers be a problem from the anti reversion flappers in the exhaust break off and fall in the pipe. What about the cam timing chain? My .02 Good luck

Idle's ok, revs good in neutral, but no go past 3500 on plane and sputters to get to plane....mechanical fuel pump was my problem.