Hello all, this is my first post; been lurking for a while. I have a 96' Scarab 22 with the 454 GEN V Mag SKI engine. It is MPI. Haven't been able to fine much about this motor. If you do any search that is boat related with the word ski it returns, as you guessed, water ski related topics.

Anyways, I blew a head gasket this past weekend between the two rear port cylinders (ford man, don't remember how GM labels the cylinders) . I have a buddy who does cylinder heads for a living and he's going to do a valve job and surface the head. He said I need to replace the plastic seal that are factory. I found some online. http://www.boats.net/parts/search/Merc/Mercruiser/454%20EFI%20(SKI)%20%20%20%20%20%20GEN.%20V%20%20% 20GM%20454%20V-8%201995/0F215800%20THRU%200F820099/CYLINDER%20HEAD%20AND%20ROCKER%20COVER/parts.html
They're $11 a piece though and I need 16 of them. Seems like a lot for a little plastic cap. Does any one know where these can be found at a more reasonable price or if they can be replaced with something more durable that will not require changing the valves?

Not sure exactly what part you are talking about. Merc doesn't make the part, they lable it and double the price. It should be avalaible somewhere else.

I run std felpro umbrella seals as long as they will clear the spring...should in your case...Rob