Engine Muffler Installation

In removing my water strainer I noticed the wood wall that it was attached to was quite rotten as is the piece the muffler is sitting on. I can't tell whether there is a piece of fiberglass supporting the wood under the muffler and it looks like the wood on the side where the strianer was mounted is just glassed-in at the bottom. Any suggestions on how to improve this installation?

I know the gymnastics you had to do to take those photos... ugh. I can tell that a previous owner had replaced by plywood mounting bracket the strainer is bolted to; Lee Nicholas moved his to the front of the engine compartment, just behind the steps on the Port/Icebox side of the motor well. You might check his photos to see if there is one of his setup or PM him.