sorry for the late reply and thanks for lal the advice guys.
powermaker, wehre is the guy with the outdrives located please? does he have transom mounts for them.
The XDP is working OK but I have heard plenty of horror stories and will change it if I can find one for reasonable money
as for the engine I got a reman long block.
spent the past few days working out best way to get engine out, I read the brave stories of people using trees and slings etc but knowing my luck I'd end up dropping the engine on my head and it would be lights out for good

So I bought some pallet racking instead, once job is over I will cut in half and use in my garage
picture below
http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac61 ... 055151.jpgI am going to attempt removal tomorrow
can anyone help me with installing distributor as that is the thing I think is gonna get me. I hear you have to rotate engine until 1 cycling is at the top and ensure you are not on exhaust stroke
I cleaned the manifold and bought new impeller and distributor cap
am going to try to change the ring gear too as one tooth is damaged, main worry is getting distributor rotation correct
thanks again for the help
He is in Central Kentucky . If you get on Craigslist under Lexington Ky. and search for "Volvo Harrodsburg" in the BOATS section I'm sure his add will come up .