Thanks George, I think I'll not worry about it anymore and move on to something else fun like sanding the paint off the bottom of the engine block where the starter makes contact -pretty sure that is a ground connection.
Anyway, I have 7 screws in bell housing cover and don't even think I'll worry about the 8th.
Also, I kind of screwed up and dropped the motor in before I had the cover back from the blast booth so am installing it with the engine in the boat so getting a torque wrench in there to torque to the 48-60 in. lbs per the service manual was going to damn near impossible too. -tight enough will have to do.
Thanks,
Jay
Jay Z.
'93 White/Teal Classic 22