Billy, The 1956 motor from Idaho HAS a two 1/4 inch holes drilled in the poop hole! That motor also had no baffle, a single gasket between the powerhead and the exhaust housing AND had the small blank plate. So that motor has been modified! Here is a photo.
My parts motor does not have any drilling at the poop hole. It came with a baffle, two gaskets above and below the baffle, and the plate with the tubes. It is unmodified! Here is a photo.
Also I have an operating 1956 RJE-18. It has also been drilled, with two 1/4" holes at the poop hole.
Just as a side note, I have an RD-12, RD-15A and a 1954 Evinrude 25HP. These motors all have two smaller (around 0.170 inch) holes in the same poop hole location, apparently from the factory.
Thank you so much everyone. I will put the motor together w/o the baffle and with the small blank plate same as I found it. What an incredible club!