I think I would have put the motor back in again.
With correct fuel safety, it should be ok.
If you are going to leave it for a while, shut off the fuel and run the motor until it stops.
This will keep the fuel level low in the carb bowl and keep it from gumming up the jets. On motorcycles, this is a constant problem when the motor is stored, and solved easily beforehand by the "run it until it stops" trick. Let it gum up, and the carb jets will need poked out with wire.
Change the oil regularly and the motor should last a long time....
Good Old Boat: Atomic 4 Engines by Jerry Powlas
Spare parts will not be that expensive either.
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