Finally got it done. Thanks to all for your advice and help.<br /><br />Stbd cylinder head replaced (reman), compression was bad in 3 cyl. Engine starts are now almost instantaneous. No more prolonged cranking. <br /><br />Carb cleaned and rebuilt. Full of crap, oxides and gunk. Starts are now easy, engine idles smooth and holds idle rpm steady. Idle rpm hunting now gone.<br /><br />Drive gasket replaced, water leak into the shift cable cavity stopped. Shift cable has few spots of rust stains, cleaned. Cable sheath flushed with WD40 and compressed air blown thru to dry. Think should be good for a while more, cable is less than a year old. <br /><br />Engine re-aligned, was slightly high and higher on the stbd side. Gotta shoot the previous owner's mech, menace to boaters.<br /><br />Again thanks to all for advice and help. Going fishing this weekend.... 