RiReuter

The motor has 370 hours on it now, and i have no idea what the previous owner did to it so i am going to play it safe and rebuild. What heads (assembled), head gaskets, cam, lifters, crank (should i reuse?), rods (once again should i reuse?), and pistons. Want to reuse carb, intake, and exhaust. Keeping in mind this is my boat for the next 3 years before it is paid off and time for an upgrade. Looking for turn key reliability. Thanks in advance.

Richie

donzi matt

Do a leak down test before you tear down anything. If it is good and oil pressure is good, I would put valve springs in it and go. No need for a full rebuild at 370 hours. These bottom ends are pretty stout when left in stock form.

RiReuter

Thanks, i had a leak down performed prior to purchasing, the numbers were "good", according to a buddy of mine who is a mechanic. So just valve springs and let it ride? Is there an hour mark where i should be concerned about the bottom end?

donzi matt

I pulled one of my 454's down at 680 hours and the bottom ends were perfect. Even the cam bearings looked like new and it used very little oil. If oil changes are done on time, oil temperature is in spec, and it doesn't have the ever loving dog**** beat out of it, they are very tough to kill. The other thing they don't like is extremely long idle times. The cam lobes are lubricated by oil slung off of the crankshaft and even though the 500HP is a roller motor, you can still roast a lifter by excessive idling. I sold my Sonic with a 500HP to a kid that idled the thing non stop just to listen to the motor. It went less than one season and lost a lifter wheel. The motor had about 250 hours on it when it happened.

RiReuter

Thanks once again for the info. What valve springs and retainers to go with?

donzi matt

I run Isky tool room steel springs on the recommendation of Bob Madara who ground my cams.

RiReuter

you wouldn't happen to have part number laying around would you?

jamontes

Call Bob. He can get you set up correctly.

wannabe

Buy them from Bob Madera- he will get you the RIGHT parts. I do not trust auto parts stores, they say they have parts but often don't.

Wannabe

RiReuter

I will call, thanks for the heads up!