Take the cylinders off at both the front and back of the drive and let them hang if the rod is froze in place.

Finally for the aft pin out, wasn't easy but it's out. Seems like input shaft is leaking some by u joi g yoke, some gear oil in bellows.

Ended up going with a new 5,7 long block , I have it all dressed and gonna fire it on stand tomorrow. I primed oiling system and have mechanical gauge installed. I eyeballed the distributor by slight before tdc, anyone do anything other that that to fire it up first time? Guy I got engine from ( center state) said to check valve lash after ten hours. That's odd to me since it's roller cam setup. It's not easy to do in the boat and requires exhaust removal etc, but ten hours too too much time on a hose I think. This project has been a struggle, lots of corroded stuff along the way.