I have 496HOs - read the Mercruiser manual and it basically says to vary speed, avoid extensive idling and no WOT for the first 10 hours (3/4 max).

I have heard several say that it is good to run at WOT a few times to help seat the rings (small bursts - 30 seconds).

The obvious thing is to follow the manual however, will I hurt anything if I open her up for a short burst in the first few hours? Gonna be toigh not too

Watch the debris Shawn...the lake is up and dirty! I told Burl to listen out for you.

Well, I broke mine in by the book. But my buddy, who bought his boat at the same time, runs em like he stole em. From day one! And he has had no issue with his...except a blown drive.

The HO's are sweet motors for sure.

I only hope I will be so lucky with my 525's.

Shawn being the expert that I am.Do exactully the opposite that I tell you.RUN THE CHIT OUT OF IT.

...and put whipples on it!!!

But if you do have an issue, Merc could pull the engine statists from the computer and tell you..."Sorry, the warranty is void because you ran past 3/4 throttle"

Never heard that and I was a Merc. dealer.News to me.

I was speculating that they could do that, not that actually would do it. The computer tracks how much time it runs in every power band right up to WOT.

You know somebody is going to pull up next to you to see who is faster. Then what do you do? Hit it.

you are absolutely correct. all it takes is a rep with maybe a less than sane day and rules are rules.


not likely but possible.