Re: How to remove a midsection
If it were mine, i'd just trim off the last 1/2" or so and be done with it. It's really not all that bad. You've got plenty of extra inside the water pump housing to play with.
If you decide to go the powerhead route, you'll need two gaskets. You will also need some kind of engine hoist or rafter mounted come-along to get the powerhead off. Be prepared to replace a few broken fasteners along the way as well as swear a lot. Pulling a 30+ year-old powerhead can be a challenge at times.