I'm not a paying member but someone can retrieve this pic and post it...

https://i.imgur.com/V1eOUMj.png

the new style takes a shim washer that is approx .1 inch thickness. Smaller dia and lessthickness than the spring washer. Used in place of the spring washer. If Using THE Old Style FLYWHEEL Cover WITH Orig mounts, THE Added Height Of THE Double Spring WASHER IS Still needed. Is there room In the center of the glued-on rubber pad for the spring washer? If not, the rubber either has to go or new style mount must be used. I don't know why my phone capitalizes words at random.

yes the rubber bushing/washer whatever you want to call it will accept either the washer or the spring washer.

If you look at the link below the ID's are identical 0.9375. The latest diagram for the inner transom plate allows for both. Which means they are interchangeable.

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30969/11210/50

So, karl is not spinning in his grave. His minions did something right in his absence...so, what would be preferrable for the OP to do with his old style flywheel cover? Replace the mounts with new style and use the flat shim washer? Or just install as-is with old style spring washer mounted right into the center of the new glued-on rubber fiber-replacement washer? Or fight the rubber off and install his orig fiber washers too?

And please, can we stop calling it a bell housing? The bell housing is shaped like a bell. It mounts to the gimball ring and the outdrive mounts to it. And it gets mistakenly called a helmet so we don't confuse it with the flywheel cover which is only a bell housing when it is in a car and has a clutch or torque converter inside it. Sorry for my rant. https://i.imgur.com/V1eOUMj.png

ok, above is moses' pic. looks like they slotted it to slide the spring or shim in from the front with the engine. good setup-I think. when you have a url to post. see the little block next to the smiley face with mountains in it? click that block. insert url in the line asking for it. then it automatically opens in the thread.

Doesnt really make sense to fight the rubber pad off. Risk more in damaging the plate then anything else. Don't see any advantage going to the fabric washer either...

Since the engine is in, throw the lock/spring washer in and be done with it.

My thoughts too. I wanted a clear answer for Spencer the OP.

Which part in the rear engine mount assy carries the loads, flywheel housing bushings or the rubber pad on the new transom supprts? And what is the purpose of teh washer in between?

What is the coupler runout clearance for a Mercruiser 7.4?