500efi's How many hours can they go for?
 

OK,

Who has the most hours on 500efi and what maint have you been doing. I am at 178hrs and thinking of changing the valve springs and lifters as a precaution. I have read that these can go around 200-250 hours. Am I being to over cautious? I baby this motor, only at WOT 5% of the time probably less.

and what is a realistic time until total rebuild?? 1000 hours 2000 hours??

Will

Oh yea thanks RPM for the part info earlier.;)

ttt

Old thread, but I am very curious because I am considering buying a boat with a 500efi

I have a set with about 250 hours on them and both needed new top ends. Sent them out and had the top ends done and they run like new.

am curious how you determined that they "needed " new top ends ...

No I dont think you are over reacting at the hours you have. I have had customers with problems at 175 hours and I have customers that there springs have lasted 300 hours before a problem. If you see just a bad spring, also pull the heads and replace the head gaskets. EVERYONE I have pulled, the gaskets were starting to go between the cylinders. Atleast one per gasket. So if you dont break a spring eventually you will probably loose the head gasket. Also remember, the lifters only usually go bad because the spring breaks and looses tension to keep the lifter in contact with the cam. In most cases if you catch the springs before they break, the lifters arent an issue.

John:D

If I did my springs st 200 hours and now I have 350 hours, is there anything I have to do now? Or in the very near future? What do you suggest?
Thanks

Stevesxm

I had a leak down test a compresion test and vacuum test done.. All indicated a couple of valves were leaking. Also it seems to be pretty common on these motors with 250 hours. Also like someone else stated the head gaskets are a good thing to check especially with the raw water cooling in the salt water. I also replaced my CMI headers as they were showing some signs of corrasion and did not want to take a chance.