It was an original 454 block
He bored it 100 over he said which makes it a 476 cubic inch block. He used pistons with about 100 thousands dome they have a compression ratio of about 9.75. It is indeed a flat tappet cam shaft but does have roller rockers. He said it is a factory gm 454cu 450hp cam shaft. He said the engine is precision balanced, he put a little aluminum intake on it. Ran it on the test stand over an hour to check it all out before it left. It now has the correct mercruiser intake. All in all he said it should be around 425 hp or so the way it is. Hotter fuel and more timing might squeeze more from it but it simply a reliable engine as it is now.

Regarding prop, here is a thread I started earlier this year "Formla 242 ss prop question" Lots of info from members here

After looking inside the hull and outside at the outdrive. I see where the speedo hose goes into the hull. It just isn't there once it's supposed to be inside. I found it cut up under the top cap of the hull. Maybe, just maybe I'll get lucky and once I find the fitting on the inside of the outdrive I can connect a hose to it and the engine/bilge will stay dry.

Hunter, I emailed you a photo of a transom assembly inside. You can see where the speedo hose goes.

Thank you Mr Gary! I looked all over the Web for that with not much luck. That explained it perfectly. I'm about to go out and look to see if I get lucky or not.

Had the same problem once. It really sucks when it leaks behind the guage and soaks all of your instruments and the connections All that and isn't accurate anyhow. Just a suggestion here but you might check your tach for accuracy. It seems to me that your speed should be higher at that RPM. My old tach was off by 200 at WOT. 425 HP will push that boat 62 GPS with a 22P 4 blade at 5000 RPM..

Considering it's only a 19p 4 blade don't you think that would be why it is so low of speed per rpm? I'll give it a check with an infrared gun I have to make sure. I know the volt gage is low. I really want to replace all gauges but don't want to drop that kind of money right out the gate.

Yeah I guess it is only 6 MPH. Might just be the prop.Are the tabs all the way up? BTW your boat looks sweet in the water.

Thank you sir. Yes I had the tabs all the way up.I played with them a little when cruising. But on wot blast they were up.
I domt know the formula to calculate slip ratio but I've been around outboards for a while and know how mine have responded to different props. This acts to me like a case of over powering a small wheel. I was thinking a 20 or 22 would be the ticket. I'm 4 blade for life on a loafing boat. My glastronwent through about 20 pops before I settled on a renegade offshore 19p 4 blade. I love the lift that they give.

I really hope the water issue is simply the fitting and not something worse. All seals and bellows are new.

Sounds like the speedo hose to me. I found my leak by looking with the hatch open and someone else at the wheel. Sounds like its spraying like a SOB so i doubt it will be tough to locate.Then pull the hose off at the drive and go for a ride.