After carefully installing new Boyesen reeds - and seeing how missfitted the original metallic ones (had apparently become) and previously were to the reed plates:

With the new fiberglas reeds - the top end speed was improved nearly 5mph (per GPS), low-end power seems much better, and fuel consumption (all) improved.

However, only when idling on the "ear muffs" (out of water) there continues to be an audible, irregular sequenced "pop" from the exhaust - making one think that this is not a repeating electrical issue, but more one of ignition timing.

In the water with the dwell at the original factory spec, everything appears O.K. at idle, although with the new 140-degree thermostats, the needed warm-up time is longer.

Is there something like fuel management, fuel pump pressures, or timing changes that should be considered - in a effort to smooth out the low-speed to high-speed ?

Any thoughts on what I've overlooked?