I wish I would have done a Van Gogh move and cut off the cast in motor mount ears on the block since I am using a motor plate and they are not needed. They must weigh all combined at least two or three pounds.
At first I was hesitant to cut 'em because I thought that maybe they were serving as a strength point for the block, but now know better. On the next build.
As far as the filler tube, Are you meaning the filler tube to the oil pan on the engine? That's a neat idea.