Bondo, a 3/8" bolt screwed all the way in by hand, no extra effort needed. I did consider metric screws, but again with the ease that the 3/8" bolts went in, I stuck with them. Too late now for the oil pick up, pan is already on. In fact, entire engine is back in boat, assembled and ready to rock... Well, almost ready to rock. We dropped her in last night, it seemed to go well. Then all of a sudden we notice the bilge filling with oil. Quick inspection shows the pipe fitting for the oil drain broke at the block (I guess we bumped something). Luckily we were able to extract the broken fitting fairly easy and install a new one. That was problem 1. Problem 2 came whilst putting the sterndrive back on. We had a heck of a time keeping it in gear and aligned. Eventually got it, but anyone and everyone could tell it was our first time. Now it's time to fire up the engine. Hooked the battery up, checked all connections and turned the key. She cranked over a few times. Didn't start - no problem, probably waitin for fuel to make it to the carb. I go to turn the key again and all I get is a loud click. Damn slave solenoid is clicking its brains out. This is problem 3, which is still not solved. Solenoid is getting power, but when key is turned it drops to 0 V. Interestingly enough, jumping the solenoid causes the 50amp breaker to trip. Even with a non functioning slave, I thought jumping the terminals would still allow power to go through. Thus I'm not sure if the problem is the slave or elsewhere.
Get an oil priming tool and see if you can build oil pressure with that. (You will remove the distributor and install the tool and turn it with a 1/2 drill).