1972 25HP Project-finally done

[14ftgrumman]

After 3 years of off and on tinkering, my 25HP Johnson fired, and after adjusting the carb,purred like a kitten.
The oddessy started with a motor and no lower unit. Located lower unit, to find that the upper cyl. was scored and piston melted. Well, I was into it for $200.00 allready, so a replacement block and pistons were found, thanks to eBay and a very nice Canadian fellow. All internal parts, minus bad piston, were transfered to the donor cyl block. Rebuilt carb, replaced some parts in the lower unit. Looked for 2 years until I found a NOS wiring harness and switches for the elect start and choke.
This morning, with nothing much better to do, I connected a fully charged battery, turned the switch and engine cranked over, No start. Pulled plugs, sprayed carb cleaner while cranking engine until it spit out the plug holes. Now I know that the reeds were not going to stick. Plugs back in, cranking over, turning throttle to wide open and start it did. Let it run to warm up, and adjusted the carb.
Thanks for the advise posted here. Most of it wasn't meant for me, but it was still helpful.