I was going to replace my lifters in a stock 525EFI with the morel lifter, but after talking around I was told the company that took over crane has a much better lifter now and suggested to go with the crane. What is the difference between the crane vs morel? Any experiences?

My opinion, in a stock normal rpm version of the wonderful Mercury Racing HP525efi engine I don't think you need any replacement hydraulic roller lifter than the stock HD GM standard hydraulic roller lifter. We've used hundreds and hundreds in BBC engines and we've never expierenced a failure in the lifter itself when they are in proper operating condition with correct valvetrain. We have seen and heard of failures in some aftermarket brands but not such with the Morel lifters.
"Don't always try to re-invent the wheel when a round one works just fine"
The best lifter won't make more power in this usage so cost versus benefit is an important consideration with reliability and damage from failure being the most important consideration and the thing to avoid.

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylar

I have to agree with Ray. you say this is a stock motor so why go all exotic? all the 525's we raced had the lifters replace with the same stock GM lifter at 110 or so hours. keep in mind that is 110 hours of mostly wide open throttle. it was rare to have a lifter issue but that was part of the refresh which was mostly just the lifters and valve springs and freshening the heads. if we could abuse the GM lifters that much you are not likely to hurt them.

I was under the assumption that the 525's came with the crane lifters. It has one lifter that is plunger is stuck or jammed, and can't adjust correctly. So if I have to replace one since I'm there I would replace all. I have read a lot of good reviews about the morel lifter. Does anybody actually know what lifter the 525's used? GM or Crane or?

as ray said,the 525 comes with GM lifters.

bsboss,

The 525 EFI came direct from Mercury Marine with Crane 16535-16, .300" long body, to accommodate the reduced base circle of the .372" lobe. The post Crane era lifters are manufactured by Eaton for Mercury.
Bob

rmbuilder,
Thanks for the information and your knowledge. Seems to be several different opinions.

keep in mind that is 110 hours of mostly wide open throttle. it was rare to have a lifter issue but that was part of the refresh which was mostly just the lifters and valve springs and freshening the heads.