Re: Reliability 496/502
 

Your going to find the 502 cheaper to purchase than the 496. Reliability, in my opinion is the same based on the attention it gets from the owner. If money isn't an issue, I'd go with the 496 soley on the fact it's a closed cooling system and your running in salt.

Did you think about going a little bigger and with something with twin 6.2's rather than a single big block. The extra footage will give you a better ride, small blocks will give you good fuel economy and you'll have a back up engine if you should run into any trouble. Just something to think about...

Good Luck!!!