Looong story Hoagie - bought hull as project (harley superstar 42) , installed 502s built by a junkie in S FL (dont ask), lasted 20 hours, then 30 after rebuilds, then threw rod again. Sold em. When it ran it topped 45mph with 21-pitch 3-blade "chopper" props. Was between jobs and broke so replaced them with running takeout Merc 330s just to stay on the water) kinda like a 42-foot "trawler"/camper.

Started process of adding baby blowers 177s with Dominator 1050s but apparently during the 6 months I didnt run it while doing other things one ingested enough moisture in it to lock up. Pulling Gills and heads this weekend to confirm things but scope looked really bad.

Have a buddy with this boat that runs Cat 3126s and he cruises at 40knots - has thousands of hours on it so reliability can be had with an open checkbook ;-)

Well Mr. Lizard I think you deserve an award for best "never give up attitude". I've been following
your engine trial and tribulation threads since the Speedwake heydays. No one should have this
much bad luck. I know life gets in the way of doing things "perfectly" but have you ever sat down
and figured out how much cash, time, and aggravation these used engine fixes have cost you? I
had always hoped you would get two new 300-400 HP diesels installed and have 20 years of trouble
free boating. Imagine if one week after you took this picture you installed the new diesels and have
been blasting around Florida ever since? Whatever happens with this new engine saga I wish you
the best.

Thanks Bro - timing is everything and she always seemed to break when funds were low (college tuitions, layoffs, you know the drill). Will try to do it right this time as semi retirement coming and I will have more time to use it. Stock 502s (new if I can find em) or possibly diesels but cant invest in new ones - too spendy and she aint worth it.

Finally got a chance to pull the blowers, carbs, and intakes to sell them. Starboard motor bent one and broke another pushrod - carnage! Valves must be stuck solid with rust. Port side looks good inside so far but need to get valve covers off and with Gills it is a PITA. Hope to yank Gills off this coming week.

Not sure if head gasket is the cause of water or issues with exhaust water coming in but clearly she is gonna need work. Since neither motor has the HP/TQ for the beast to run well I have decided to replace both with new GM502s and have a pro set em up for me with Disti, carb of EFI, wiring etc. The old ones I will probably clean em up a bit and sell to whoever needs a pair of 330hp 454s (one is counter-rotating) to rebuild.

Good luck with the resurrection!!

Thanks RSCHAP1 - I'm sure it will be an adventure (always is) though this time I think I can afford to do some things right.

Swamp, are you going to convert one of the new 502's to reverse rotation?
Unaware if you were changing the drive situation.

no I would like to find stronger transmissions that can handle 500HP full power in reverse or forward (like the diesel boys do. Looking at some refurbished ZF63s and a few others. Be nice if they did not have any down angle as my current Borg Warners are straight from engine to arneson drive shaft.

In a previous life I have a reverse rotation 502 built by a shop in Ft Lauderdale - didnt work out

Also selling my Merc Blowers, intakes, and Dominator carbs

and eventually the 454 long blocks I have and their Borg Warner gears.