454 vs 502 reliability
#1
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454 vs 502 reliability
A buddy is looking at some older boats 89-92., one has the 454/365 all fresh water. The other 502/390 hp. Saltwater use but rebuilt about 50 hours ago, both motors are carbs. Anything special about either motor? wants reliable power for now but soon or later will want more power. Thanks
#2
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I think you'd be okay with either one engine model as long as you don't modify them. However, that usually doesn't last long in marine performance world---most folks will usually want more power sooner or later. For any engine it depends on how much you build them up. With a larger cubed engine you automatically inheirit more power just from the cubes alone. A good rule of thumb to remember is there is reliability in cubic inches. The larger the cubes the more inheirit power you'll make. You can build a large cubic inch engine, keep it relatively mild while maintaining reliability without building it up too much if you know what I mean. Hope that helps. Have fun
#4
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In that age range, unless the 502 was fresh water cooled, I'd go with the 365hp. 10 years in a salt water enviroment will kill the water jackets of most any engine. I'd say there is much more life (from a corrosion standpoint) left in the fresh water 365hp.
If all things check out equal from a corrosion standpoint, I'd go with the 502 as well.
Good luck,
BT
If all things check out equal from a corrosion standpoint, I'd go with the 502 as well.
Good luck,
BT
#7
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Originally posted by Hot Boat
go with the fresh water , with one or two boltons to the 454 it will make more power than the stock 502
go with the fresh water , with one or two boltons to the 454 it will make more power than the stock 502