So, for the timing components - is there an idler assembly or is it gear-to-gear (crank to camshaft?)

If it is gear-to-gear you can't just get a regular 430 camshaft ground as the cam rotates opposite the crank in that configuration... Just wondering!

That's correct, the cam is a reverse grind. This engine is a RH rotation, but that is based on the engine being flipped around to begin with.. . so it is a reverse rotation by car standards. It is a gear to gear timing gear, with the flex assembly on the timing end of the engine.

Here is a photo update. The block is back after increasing the bore another 17 thou, then it will be fitting for pistons with the final hone
This motor was rebuilt previous to my ownership, and has less than 50 hours running time on it. You can see they only polished the crank, and did not turn it... look at the ridge in the center of the rod journal. We are going to fix that..
Polishing the front cover... casting marks taken out and starting to work up the polish...

This is what the front (flywheel) cover looked like at the start. Sand, sand, then sand some more. fussy, time consuming work, but it will look great when it's done.
Now on to exhaust manifolds and odd parts... The marine exhaust manifold circulates water around the outside of the manifold, and is an important part of the cooling system loop on a marine engine. They also get a build up of crud over the years, especially in a salt water raw water cooled engine. This was a fresh water engine, but it still collects its share of corrosion and buildup. A lot of rebuilders don't bother knocking them down and cleaning them out. These manifolds have never been completely apart in their life. Time for a glass bead blast, along with these other parts.
Manifolds and their crud....

After six hours work at the blast cabinet. I used a fine grit glass bead with lots of air... left the surface smooth, and yet cleaned everything up extremely well.

Seeing all those rare engine parts made me wonder whether you can still buy a gasket set for this engine. Any problems there?

No, there are no marine gasket sets available anymore... I have a new automotive set for the basic intake exhaust and head, but all the rest have to be cut from sheet...

I guessed as much. Sounds like the perfect job for those cold winter evenings.

Yes, a couple of winter evenings at least Look at this reijerlincoln and I are on here at the same time... of course it's 4:30 in the morning here

Peter, may I ask you to take measurements from your rocker arm shafts and stands?
I'd like to know the lenght of the shafts and the height of the stands.
Thanx in advance.