mpottorff

I have my 2000 502MAG EFI motor out of my Baja 272 ans sitting on the shop floor. Motor has weak compression (120# in 6 cylinders and 90# in 2) with 450 pampered hours on it. The question is this should I do just the heads and slap it back together or should I roll the motor over and get into the bottom end...rod and main bearing and rings also?
I would like to keep a little more than stock HP but I really don't want to get in changing the computer and messing with the fuel map. Any thoughts?

bcfountain

i too am doing a freshen-up on my 94 502.i have 465hrs on the engine and was told that around 400hrs the heads should be remover and serviced....springs,retainers,seats,etc.my engine guy told me that the bottom is probley ok,and that it is not much you can do w/the motor being efi,as you know this.my only concern is my oil is realy black.have changed oil serval times and is still jet black.my be rings worn and blow by.not sure yet.good luck w/your motor.

VegasHallett

I had 640 hors on my 99 502 with a side mounted whipple and finally blew a head gasket. Upon tearing apart the motor everything looked great. My engine guy (LJ Engines) who built over 80% of Gary Teagues motor in the last 10 years did in awesome job rebuilding mine for half the price.

If you change from the oem cam specs or increase compression you will have to reprogram your ECM (big pain in the butt). I would rebuild the entire motor and have a good valve job with some porting and polishing to increase some flow on the heads.

baja bailey

I would have figured you would have gotten more hours than that.. I know a few guys that put 750 + hrs on their 502 before selling their boats with no issues... I have 215 pampered hrs on my 99 502, and hope to get alot more. I dont have an answer to your question, but you will get answers on here, there is a world of knowledge on OSO.....

Griff

Do a leak down and see where the loss is to determine if you need rings and a full rebuild or pull the heads and check the condition of the bores. Most likely you only need a top end rebuild.

You can't add HP without recalibrating the ECM.

Pat McPherson

At 500hours mine had low oil pressure along with low compression.
I would recommend rings, bearings, oil pump, and new timing chain for the bottom as a minimum. Full rebuild on top with new exhaust and she'll be ready to rock for another 400-500...
If you do decide to swap the cam, consult who ever is going to recal the computer first.

kennyo

If it's out do it all.

Griff

Also replace the coupler since its out.

Baja_man

I agree, if its already out might as well do the entire thing.

kennyo

If you need to bore it I have some used JE .030 over pistons cheap!