Hello everyone,

Rather than rebuild as I hoped to due this winter, it looks like I’ll be doing a few mods until I NEED to rebuild.

Dennis Moore was kind enough to offer his wisdom;

“The best performance increase you can make at this point would be a good roller camshaft. A Comp Cams with 224/230 intake/exhaust duration on a 110 lobe centerline would give you about 475 horsepower with those good Lightening headers. Keep the stock intake, carb and ignition (a waste of money to replace them). Install RV15YC4 Champion spark plugs gapped at .045, set total ignition timing to 34 degrees at 3700 rpm and install a K+N marine flame arrestor and K+N stub stack.
Dennis Moore”


The motor I have is a 1995 454mag with Lightning headers. I have taken very good care of the motor over the past 9 years, it has 285 hours on it and I change the oil at least twice per season. The motor is in my 21’ Hallett 210 (2,700 lbs) and I am doing a straight 70 on GPS.
Any thoughts on matching heads or any other ideas, comments or suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

A way to pick up some "cheap" hp is to plane the heads .020-.030, in adition to what you're already thinking.

"plane the heads"????
What is this a woodworkers website?

Sorry, I should've said mill the heads.

Hey Craig,

I have built a couple of engines based on Dennis Moore's book. He does give good advise.

If you have the engine out to make mods to the top, I would recommend a new set of rings and bearings for the bottom. Maybe a new oil pump and timing chain set too. It won't cost you that much more and will give you a good chance to see if the short block is good.

Craig
Sounds like that little beast is a fresh water boat! Loose the iron heads, put on a good set of aluminum, brodix, dart, edlebrock, etc. heads and kick the compression up one full point. Go with a good cam. You'll dump weight and gain power, makes a small boat faster!!
Good luck!
Raylar