I have a 1980 50hp merc. I going to use a 1976 50hp midsection and drive shaft to change it to a short shaft. The wiring on the 76 has fallen apart. The motor has good compression tho. I plan on running a chopper prop on the motor when i have the prop lower unit on. I'm going to put the motor on my 1648 jon boat that weighes around 350ibs if not lighter. Do i need to run a lower water pickup? If so were can i find one? I've found low water pickups but they are all for bigger outboards than mine. I run the boat light and i'll have a tiller on the motor. I'd like to make the boat run like a scolded ape lol Can i modify the 1976 50hp to run a little harder? While i get by on the other 50hp merc or my 25hp merc. The 25merc pushes the boat around 30 mph maybe faster if i ran a 14pitched prop instead of the 13. I just don't know about the motor design. I'm used to having a head that i can mill down to raise compression and boring out carbs or replacing them.