maybe some tips could help whomever in this post

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/f...ny-tricks.html

the exercise mats work very well sitting on top of the engines to lay across. I buy them for 10 bucks and cut to fit

This is what I ended up doing. Removed the bolt on the oil line clamp on the back of the exhaust manifold and gently pried the oil line backwards to gain the clearance I needed to get to #7. Also had to remove the exhaust manifold water line to get at #3. Now that I know exactly what I need and how to access each plug, along with having dielectric grease on all the plug boots to make them easier to pull, I can do the job in about a third of the time it took the first time. Got a nice welt on my head from supporting my weight with it against the exhaust hose!

Glad that worked, sometimes two steps back is the fastest way forward.