Well…good things came to a screeching halt! Don’t know how I didn’t notice it before but the port cylinder has a crack in the water jacket. Appears to be above the exhaust ports so I think it’s only in the outer/exterior wall. 
Found out why it cracked…pulled the water lines and they were full of rust…port cylinder didn’t seem to have the same air flow as the stbd side did so I pulled the cylinder to take it to my shop where I have a compressor that has 150 lbs of air pressure. Pulled the stbd side also because I noticed the top ring is stuck 180* from the ring locating pin, bottom ring is nice and loose. Both pistons are the same so I need to free them up. What are some thoughts on how to fix the crack after I free up the rings? I’ve had good luck repairing cracks in sterndrive blocks and manifolds using JB Weld but then I have also had stuff Brazed. I’m leaning towards JB Weld…thoughts? This is the most extensive mechanical restoration I’ve undergone to date between the mag, water pump, gear case and now this crack! I’m still stoked because It did pop off and run a few seconds. Another question…the cylinders and the driveshaft tube appear to be chrome plated…at least the plating is peeling off both the cyls and the tube. Am I correct in that thinking?
