I’m in the process of buying a 1959 Chris Craft boat with a Ford 312 engine that has been sitting in storage for 5 years. The seller said he always had trouble with the side draft YH Carter carbs. He recommends buying a more modern engine for the boat but I would like to keep the 312 if it’s in decent shape. Someone recommended that I switch out the intake, and find a used or after market 4 bbl down draft intake with a modern 4 bbl marine carb. What are your opinions? What kind of retrofitting must be done to fit a different intake (i.e. water cooling)? I understand that I might have to add height to the engine housing. Would a new Blue Thunder intake with a 4 bbl Edelbrock 500 CFM marine carb and pertronix ignition be safer and more reliable? Or should I try rebuilding the Carter carbs? Thanks in advance.