Well Cal, I'm a little more concerned about the engine hitting than the way it looks with the hole in the side. I would hate to break my engine. Yes since I haven't been able to get any pics of how others cut the cowl I went ahead and started cutting. I ruined my first one doing the hot water thing so I split it down the middle and sanded off the white paint inside so I could see where to start. As I enlarged the hole for the engine I didn't notice that the cowl wasn't perfectly square with the front. In other words the spinner back plate has more gap at the bottom than the top. Now to even it out the only way I see is to shorten the cowl some because the motor shaft hits the bottom of the opening before I can raise it enough to even the gap. The exhaust is another whole thing. I'm not even gonna fool with it tonight, I'm aggravated with the whole thing. Wonder what I need to do so the screws that hold the cowl on will hold? Just CA the holes? I have some #6 button head screws and bonded washers for it. Is the fuse thick enough to hold? Anyone know??