Take a listen to Oasis and advise please...

[TimBSmith]

Good evening.

Been on the water and on my mooring for a week.

2 hours extended running down the river and 3 bridges.

First time the raw engine has run on the water in 3 years. Oil psi stayed in the 40 psi range. Temperatures in the 140 to 170 range raw water, no T stat, bypass closed. There is a spot in bottom front of the exhaust manifold that seems to be between manifold and head that temps as high as 190/200. All of this is touchless handheld as my temp sender and temp gauge need some trouble shooting, dial never moves above 120.

With low idle stalling, I spent a fair amount of time dialing in the low idle with a kind advisor, wonder if you could take a listen and tell me what you think. Bringing the inductive timing light to the boat this week. I remember reading low idle in the 600 rpm range. My low idle seems high yet, is very responsive for the constant reverse to forward I am getting a feel for while piloting. Welcome what your more experienced ears can tell me. Also I did the screwdriver to ear listen on each cylinder and really didn't hear anything exceptional for lifter noise. Current low idle.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/Pc7KrtQH6SRUL8rFA

As a side note, during my 10th practice pass at my mooring, I found that my Edson sheave frame mounting board was poorly tabbed or had been stressed or both and had delaminated over time. It(the mounting board) released on port side between mooring trips sending a shockwave of movement through the helm. I am studying the repair. Here is what I found on inspection.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZeixJ2fhJauU9tt6A

Here is what the tabbing looked like when I ripped it out.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mVzp5FohsPuR9VV86

Taking all the time I need for further evaluation and fix. Just part of the journey.

I learned; don't just check your Edson hardware check the quality and status of the construction used to affix it to your boat. And I need to learn to scan for and spot delamination anywhere on the boat. (My delayed survey might have helped here). Fortunate no loss of helm and no need to deploy backup tiller. Shaking down in fair/forgiving conditions lot of margin for error. I am, however, re-evaluating the backup tiller which really doesn't do the job for my Pearson 30 spade rudder.

A final request. I would love to know your technique for managing reverse piloting with a wheel steered boat. Throttle, wheel, and keeping pressure on the reversing cam takes some getting used to. Then there is the beefy spade rudder to manage.

Thank you all for time and helping me come so far in a year. Stay well.