Both impellers & housings were brand new may last year and the motors never ran without a water supply hooked up.
You sure you didn't just spill a bit of oil down the side of the rocker covers - did that once, once the manifolds get nice and hot it burns off and scares the shit outta you thinking it's on fire.
Can't remember what the temp gauges used to read - I seem to recall one of the thermostats stuck slightly open so the motor over cooled slightly - hence the new stat in the box. (Think might have been stbd over cooled a bit). The temp gauges were always pretty reliable in that respect.
Would like another twin V8 boat in the future - who knows eh.
Don't miss the fuel bill though.