496 vs 502
12-19-2019, 06:53 AM
#31
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Location: SW CT & Long Island Sound
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But dependable in stock form? I loved mine while I had it, as reliable as you could get, every time I stepped in the boat I went BOATING. I never modded it, if I was intending on doing that I'd have never bought it in the first place, they make engines specific for that.
12-19-2019, 07:13 AM
#32
Registered
Stock 496 HO ......=Great Motor, Turn Key, 1000 hrs. Very Low Maintenance. Go Boating.....Not designed for upgrades.
Only thing that I have seen is a better tune that cleared up transom soot from running a little fat. Mercruiser has always done that from the factory because of gas quality throughout the world. Better to be fat then lean.
If you want to tinker around, modify, make more power, add superchargers eventually then by all means, the 502 is the better platform.
Only thing that I have seen is a better tune that cleared up transom soot from running a little fat. Mercruiser has always done that from the factory because of gas quality throughout the world. Better to be fat then lean.
If you want to tinker around, modify, make more power, add superchargers eventually then by all means, the 502 is the better platform.
12-19-2019, 07:54 AM
#33
Registered
The 496 was dropped by Merc because GM stopped making the 8.1 engine ,which is what the 496 is based on,GM dropped the 8.1 because of fuel economy and replaced it with the small block 6.0, which in my opinion are just as bad in fuel economy,had nothing to do with 8.1 issues,I have been with GM for 35 years we had very very few issues,
The old 502 was a very good engine because of the internals,
the 496 is a great engine as long as you leave it stock,as far as technology goes,the 502 does not come close to the 496,
as far as your statement that the 496 has been discontinued and the 502 is back, you are wrong if you are saying this was done because the 496 had issues and the 502 did not,
and if you due some research I think you would find the new MERC 8.2 is different than the original 502,,
The old 502 was a very good engine because of the internals,
the 496 is a great engine as long as you leave it stock,as far as technology goes,the 502 does not come close to the 496,
as far as your statement that the 496 has been discontinued and the 502 is back, you are wrong if you are saying this was done because the 496 had issues and the 502 did not,
and if you due some research I think you would find the new MERC 8.2 is different than the original 502,,
BUP says they are making the new 502 in house. I don't know. I thought they were buying short blocks from GM but in any case the 496 is now a white elephant as is the Ilmor V-10. The 502 is still very relevant.
Last edited by thirdchildhood; 12-19-2019 at 08:14 AM.
12-19-2019, 09:41 AM
#34
Registered
https://www.quicksilver-products.com...vo-sterndrive/
12-19-2019, 10:12 AM
#35
Registered
Stop putting words in my mouth please. I said the 496 was a good engine but it is no longer being made so Mercury went back to the 502 crate engines.
BUP says they are making the new 502 in house. I don't know. I thought they were buying short blocks from GM but in any case the 496 is now a white elephant as is the Ilmor V-10. The 502 is still very relevant.
BUP says they are making the new 502 in house. I don't know. I thought they were buying short blocks from GM but in any case the 496 is now a white elephant as is the Ilmor V-10. The 502 is still very relevant.
12-19-2019, 10:52 AM
#36
Banned
for the 8.1 like I said is a Dart Block and that's the big difference for improvements. For one its a stronger block and with any Dart blocks -- Dart always tries to improve upon any oiling within the block itself. Every Dart block they have made - Dart puts that statement on them - " improved oiling "
Mercruiser for the inboard and I/O side only has 3 engines and that is done 6 different ways. the 4.5 L and the 6.2 L and the 8.2 L --- again these are Merc blocks that are made at a foundry in the USA. I actually met and talked to the foundry years ago plus seen the blocks in person.
ALSO MERC is NOT using GM parts period for any of this and ALL IS ASSEMBLED IN HOUSE AT MERC.
Merc for the outboards makes a ton inhouse that is all theirs and there is no aftermarket parts for a lot of their current outboard engines. They are doing this because parts are becoming a big money maker for these marine OEM s. Keep in mind the past marine engines inboard and I/O were basically a GM truck engine and many parts could be bought at auto stores. NOT anymore - its all planned this way from here on out.
Mercruiser for the inboard and I/O side only has 3 engines and that is done 6 different ways. the 4.5 L and the 6.2 L and the 8.2 L --- again these are Merc blocks that are made at a foundry in the USA. I actually met and talked to the foundry years ago plus seen the blocks in person.
ALSO MERC is NOT using GM parts period for any of this and ALL IS ASSEMBLED IN HOUSE AT MERC.
Merc for the outboards makes a ton inhouse that is all theirs and there is no aftermarket parts for a lot of their current outboard engines. They are doing this because parts are becoming a big money maker for these marine OEM s. Keep in mind the past marine engines inboard and I/O were basically a GM truck engine and many parts could be bought at auto stores. NOT anymore - its all planned this way from here on out.
Last edited by BUP; 12-19-2019 at 11:09 AM.
12-19-2019, 11:05 AM
#37
Banned
And IMO being in this industry for 31 years coming upon 32 years in March 2020 - In totally stock form the 1991 / 1992 carbed 454 was prob the most reliable marine engine built for big blocks and the small block 350 HO mag with a carb 1994 thru 1997.
I seen the early 454 engines overheated so bad and I mean really bad --- thought 4 sure they were done - nope they still ran well years and years after wards. Most of those engine outlasted the boat. Keep In mind I am located inland and talking about NON saltwater apps here.
I seen the early 454 engines overheated so bad and I mean really bad --- thought 4 sure they were done - nope they still ran well years and years after wards. Most of those engine outlasted the boat. Keep In mind I am located inland and talking about NON saltwater apps here.
12-19-2019, 03:01 PM
#38
Registered
I'd go with the new 502 can't beat new!FWC 496 very nice but go whats in the boat now! Good luck & New Year!
12-19-2019, 03:43 PM
#39
Registered
And IMO being in this industry for 31 years coming upon 32 years in March 2020 - In totally stock form the 1991 / 1992 carbed 454 was prob the most reliable marine engine built for big blocks and the small block 350 HO mag with a carb 1994 thru 1997.
I seen the early 454 engines overheated so bad and I mean really bad --- thought 4 sure they were done - nope they still ran well years and years after wards. Most of those engine outlasted the boat. Keep In mind I am located inland and talking about NON saltwater apps here.
I seen the early 454 engines overheated so bad and I mean really bad --- thought 4 sure they were done - nope they still ran well years and years after wards. Most of those engine outlasted the boat. Keep In mind I am located inland and talking about NON saltwater apps here.
12-19-2019, 09:36 PM
#40
Registered
Thread Starter
I'm thinking about keeping the boat original with the 502s. Since it has one still there. Just missing the one. Although I have no issues with the stock 8.1 in my mud truck. It's running 54 inch boggers with rockwell axles and breaks the tires loose. May be a bit different from the marine app.
