Merc 525sc questions
 

I am looking at a '93 vintage Fountain with a single 525sc powerplant. Boat, motor and drive are all original (w/ exception of new GIL mani's and risers mid-way last season)and have a little under 300 hours on them- one owner from new. Any thoughts about this power package? How about issues with drive with this kind of power? Boat runs like a top- Thanks.

Mer. has had great luck with this package. :)

The boat I just bought has a 525sc and B1 drive. Only drove it during testing. The only thing I've heard is that you should get a valve job and new springs around 300 hrs. There was a thread about a month ago about 525sc's also. The drive should be fine as long as you treat it right. Only 20hp more at the prop than 500hp's.

i have a 1997 checkmate with 525sc.
the motor has been absolutely trouble free.
it in fact is more reliable than my old
454 magnum.i blew the outdrive at 61 hrs.
otherwise i love the package----joe

A friend on the lake has a 93 35' fountain with twins. Freshened the motors a few years back, not sure the details been running 5 yrs since- no problems- 600+ hrs total- showered Bravo drives, just changes the oil in them.

If the small blower was replaced with a whipple, how much difference in hp and torque would there be? Besides the drive issue's, would overall dependability change? If you did plan to put on a whipple, would a larger roller cam work in the interum with the smaller blower? Thanks

A company in North Miami did all the R/D for Mercruiser. The engine builder was Hawk Marine Power. If you want to gain a little extra HP we can provide you with a larger boost pulley and an intercooler. Engine will make approx 575 HP reliable.

Goodfella, you memtioned Hawk Marine Power, are they still in buiseness? I just bought a pair of their 525s and would like some details on whats inside (cam, compression, timing, etc.). Outside their a 454 short deck with a B&M 174 blower & single Holley. I was told Hawk rated their motors at the prop, would you know if this is correct? Thanks, Chuck.

Hey CD!
Sorry they are not in biz any longer. The Hawk 525 SC was just a Mercruiser 454 420 HP
that was disassembled cylinder head gaskets were changed and a supercharger installed. Bud Luroe I hope I am spelling his name corretly was the owner of Hawk. He is know presently working for Cigarette Racing Team you might want to call him and maybe he can give you some info.

Goodfella, thanks for the info. CD.

I'd have to concur with Griff. Blower motors are only good for 250 to 300 hours before a rebuild is necessary - at nromal boost: 5 - 6 lbs. Engines with boost exceeding 7 lbs will typically only last 200 hrs.

You can definately plan on spending another 10 grand rebuilding the engines. I'd say 5 grand, but mechanics ALWAYS find something wrong and if you're going to the trouble of pulling the engines and rebuilding them, there's no sense in skimping and not replacing pistons, etc when you do it.

- jeff