harryh623

was looking at a 2000 warlock 25 sxt cat with a 502 called the warlock dealership and they told me to stay away from the 502 engine boats thats why they went to the 496 HO
that they have bottom end problems what gives??? i thought this was a bullet proof engine NEED FEED BACK PLEASE !!!

dean51267

I believe there are EPA rules which have "break points" based on number of CI, this is why the ford 289 was turned onto a 302, the 305/307/327's were discontinued, not sure this applies to marine applications, but since marine motors start in an anutomotive engine plant, I would bet it does....

t500hps

Other than they burn a little oil I love mine. They have been the back bone of the marine industry and the 502 blocks are still used to build the 500HPs, 525's, etc.....
What are the chances they are trying to get you to buy a newer boat or the one with the 502 isn't the one THEY are selling?

BY U BOY

I WOULD CALL BULL SHOT

anotherdimension

i have a pair of 2000 502s they have 280 hours each so far major things have been all manifolds and risers,and a failed inlet manifold on the other due to corrosion , im having problems with rpm also but think thats down to the inlet manifold failing and water getting in the engine , i run in salt water which i dont think suits the 502, been told that the 496 runs fresh water round the block which has to be better!the previous owner to me never flushed through think thats caused a lot of my problems,been told that the biggest failing is the inlet manifold corroding causing water to get in the motor,then the problems start.thats my experiance so far

camptappakeg69

Just bought a 97 AT with a 502 mag motor, had 400hrs on it at now has 427 on it burns a little oil but runs great but it has been very well maintianed and relatively stock except for gil exhuast and msd

zt260

The 502 is 10 times the engine the 496 is. Not to say you can't make a 496 good, but it will take some $$$ Y, the 502 had better parts from the start. You couldn't give me a 496 if a 502 was available. Look at every performance engine that is built from the ground up, they all start with the 502 specs and bore/stroke from there. The only reason merc went to the 496 was GM stopped producing the 502 for the general public. Too bad for us.

stevesxm

have two 502 mag mpi factory stock.... 300 hrs each... killed an injector once but thats it. they turn 4900 rpm for a 1/2 hr - 40 minutes at a crack all the time... have 300 hrs on them give or take...

ide buy more in a heartbeat.

Pismo10

502 is the way to go. Salesman BS.

Grog

Maybe there have been improvements between the 502 and 496 but given the fact that your "salesman" badmouths the 502, I would take EVERYTHING he is saying with a grain of salt. There is nothing wrong with a 502 bottom end.

I like the 496 and I think it is a good motor and, it is the new standard. But, the 502 has been around for a long time. There are a lot of 454s and 502s(same block) out there with 700+ hours on them. I just wish I could be there when he starts spewing his BS.

Consider this....I think the GM switch from the 502 to the 496 is right along with the GM switch from the "good old 350" to 5.3 and 6.0 liter motors. I have a 6.0 in my GM 3/4 ton but I just don't see what GM was thinking.

JUst my very humble opinion.