Any brands to recommend on the rods? I have heard good things about Eagle products for the price.(from car guys)

When you say rebuild to stock specs, are you referring to my valve size question?

Eagles are a good rod. More than likely that's what's in the other one now. Or scats. There all very similar just go with the arp 2000 rod bolts which many come with. Up many with the 8740 which would probably be fine also but I'd get the 2000 just for future get ants in your pants and want more power. I think joes post regarding stock specs meaning merc specs. Correct springs, bearing clearances, valve guides, just in general copy cat the original build. Specs are easy for any engine builder to get.

just curious why you would keep the comp. 9.0:1 or less I'm rebuilding a 468 and was thinking of going to 10.0:1

Alot of guys want to run 87 octane.

ok i run 93 octane would the higher comp cause water reversion

No. Like MT said also most out on the water and considering your boat I assumed you were limited to what the marinas had octane and also with a heavier boat like that under a constant load I'd tend to keep the comp 9:1 or what ever the engine come with originally. Tell us a little more about the boat. For an addditional half point of comp with near stock cam or even perf your looking at min hp gains and not worth it. Detonation causes many problems. You have twins or trips in the boat. I get the part you like to cruise. If you like to cruise keep it as close to stock as possible.

Never mind the twin or trip question. If you had trips you might have aluminum rods in the third. Just kidding but anyway good luck am keep us posted. Even is you added another 50 hp a side what would you really see in mph gain. 2-3 maybe. Not worth it with a top speed of ? Just trying to safe you frustration and down time.

I definatily want to keep the compression down to where I can use cheaper gas. My boats aren't harbor queens, usually only parked during normal working hours lol. I think I will go with the H-beam rods in the other one. Would give me a good lower end if (when)I get the itch for more power later. Good news is the machine shop just called and said the block that had water in the oil is all ok, had some worries. Will see if I can post some pics of the boat tonight.

I would choose SCAT over eagle, I ran some scat H-beams in a 540

i have used both,imo they are equil,both use arp bolts and the big end size is spot on all the ones i have used.the pricing is also about the same.when it comes to crankshaft,s i would go with the scat,for some reason the eagle cranks i have used had journal dias all over the place.the scats were right on size.