After 420 hp many things change in marine engines...

FULL FORCE, thanks for the info. I am checking with Comp Cams to see if I have the right springs for my cam. AFR's site says yes but I am experiencing a problem at and above 5300rpm so we will see. Obviously by my posts, I should have gone to a marine engine shop. The guy who built them knew they were for a boat but there's a difference between circle track engines etc. and the marine environment. The entire package I ordered was with the help of a phone operator at Summit and stuff I saw on the internet. There is crapload of stuff I am unfortunately now just finding out that pertains to marine engines. I don't have deep pockets and now am wondering if I have built a couple engines that are going to require way more maintenance (constant parts replacement) than I am accustomed to. Thanks again.

As you know, peeps are here to help you.
Think of all the money you SAVED by not installing these engines in your boat!
You will have these engines dialed in, drinking a beer on the water in no time, enjoying the fruits of your labor.

dykstra, Thank you. I'm pretty sure there would have been at least one catastrophic and that would have put me (financially) out of the game for quite a while.

Like I said before good you caught it now. The solution really shouldn't be that bad since the engines are still out. And when done at that HP level they should be pretty reliable.

Thanks wildman. I really hope so. I also hope the boat runs clean and doesn't try to kill me.

Not hard to build them reliable, just have to know what to do. Do you by chance know main and rod clearances? L if too tight that's another huge issue waiting to go boom, probably the biggest failure I ever see in marine engines are guys running clearance is too tight and then they blame the oil for being a problem

Piston to wall would be good to know as well.
General rule of thumb, car guys build car engines. Marine guys build marine engines. There are plenty who do both (Tyler and Jack Boyd and myself come to mind) but never ever ever ever let a car only guy build your marine engine. There are SO many things car guys (road toads) can get away with that we cant. Shelf stock heads are just one example. Hot Rod guys actually think Eagle makes a decent rod. It goes downhill from there.
An other good rule of thumb for engine program success. Stay with one shop. Don't let one guy short block it, another dress it and another dyno it. It's just a bad plan and a recipe for failure.

PQ 290, where are you located ? there might be someone on here willing to lend you a hand if you need help redoing these engines, I would but think Im a ways from you

Thanks F-2. I am in West Michigan. I called the 2nd builder who up to date has only performed the dyno sessions and asked him some questions based on what I've learned and he had the right answers. Taking them back for the repairs. Same guy SABER28 has used for apparently many years with no problems so I believe I am in good hands now. Thanks again