merc

If an ECU is replaced or re flashed, is there any way to tell how many hours are on an engine? How many hours would be required for visible wear in the cylinders - could pulling the heads give an indication?

so I've got a 97 xb03 and I was planning on putting a 2.5 280 bass on it but now it doesn't look like I can buy that motor anymore, I can however get a late 90's 2.5 260 on an offshore mid with less than 50 hours on it with a new polished sport master and an alternator kit for $8000cdn. So my...