tell me what a super high end rocker is, I've not heard of this brand

Hey 4bus, you make a good point withe respect to the springs and headers. I got side tracked based on my conversation with Potter Performance whom just mentioned Rockers. I just got off the phone with them however Ron (Owner) was out for lunch. The mechanic I spoke with at his shop agreed that rockers although good to change makes little sense if springs are shot. He also agreed that header check is of major importance! I must have misunderstood Ron and perhaps the price he gave me was with springs included.

I'll get back with you as soon as he calls but thanks for another kick in the ass to get me back on track to address the majors.

As for new long blocks, it makers no sense to buy refurbs for $14000 (And yes it makes me puke as well!) when I can have some beautiful rebuilds built with top end products for about $8K each. Plus I was informed that if built with top brands, they last longer then the refurbs from merc which will increase the resale value in the event I decide to sell.

Barry

Not positive of the name, he mentioned to that he said were top of the line and mentioned a few reasons as well. I'll ask the specific names when I speak with him next

Thx
Barry

LOL Not sure of the name as previously mentioned however as Ron pointed out, you can buy low end less expensive parts to rebuild or higher end more expensive parts....as with anything we spend our cash on today

Barry

I am with 4bus, you have gotten side tracked. Do the leak test and replace the springs and run it.

As for rebuilding the motors, once you have the springs done don't be in a big hurry.
Leak test and compression test at the end of the season (along with now to get a baseline), and when you see them slipping worry about it then.

You could get a couple hundred more hours before a full rebuild, if you take care of the springs.

If you want to replace just the rockers, simply go to someone like Jegs or Summit and buy a set of Crower stainless. They are simply the best you can get, period.

I have followed your other thread and would offer this, If you are looking for a real good, real honest, real down to earth no BS engine builder, give me a PM and I can put you in touch with one that just put a pair of 525's out his shop door. I have had him do a pair of 500's for me and have known him for decades. Northern NY is not that far from you!

I do feel that you are being lead down a trail in regard to the condition of your engines, get some solid advise from someone that is not out to pick the last dime out of your pocket.

P.S. Regardless of what any expert may tell you the Crane Gold rockers are mediocre at best, they have many problems that show up under stress. Just a thought.

Call Raymond at 705-487-7575 or Jeff at Birch Point.

Thx! I left a message for Jeff to give me a call back yesterday. I suspect he'll be calling me today

Have a super day
Barry

The name of the shop Barry is talking about is Marine Extreme, WE are located in Le Gardeur, Quebec. Barry asked us for price quotes on rockers. We Never recommended at this time to change rockers or long block and if youre going to change the rockers you might as well change the lifters too (lifters can cause a lot of damages to cam shaft) Furthermore the pricing mentioned on quote were $14,000. ($12,500.US) for brand NEW Mercury long blocks with 1 year warranty, NOT refurbished… credit $4000. CDN$ ($3,500 US$) for his used long block = $10,000. CDN$ ($9,000. US) for brand new Mercury long block including 1 year warranty…

Customer awaited for our price quotes then asked us to replace rockers with some he bought from a friend… we are a specialised high performance repair shop, it’s like coming into a restaurant with your own steaks!!! When we install Mercury parts they are warranted and if failure occurs because of these parts, Mercury will pay for replacing parts and pay for labour. If I install ‘Jobber’ parts there is no warranty and no one will take the blame and no one will pay for the damages. I have no objection in a customer buying his own parts and installing at his own risks. We are a Mercury Racing Hyperf dealership, accredited up to 1350 HP. We have certified Mecanics whom follow special training from Mercury Racing in Atlanta, Georgia yearly. Marine Extreme is well known in the boating industry and we are proud of our reputation. This certification and professionalism comes to a price… You get what you pay for!

We sincerely hope this Fountain owner continues not having any problems with his engines, we are not the kind of repair shop Mr. Barry is looking for, we therefore wish him luck in finding the right repair shop for his needs.

P.s.: We totally agree that Mr. Potter is a very good engine builder therefore Mr. Barry is in good hands.

We also do agree with comments from ‘4bus’

Marine Xtreme,
Le Gardeur, Quebec
Marineextreme.ca

Very honorable for your to come here and "explain", most would not.

I still think the OP should have you change the valve springs (without head removal) and test headers....then run it for a couple hundred more and revisit. A good, professional shop with expert technicians is hard to find, and he should expect to pay a premium because I am sure the investment you made to be where you are was not cheap.

A lot of us here are do it yourselfers, it is obvious the OP is not. You can't have it both ways. Either dive in and learn for yourself (which many of us lost huge sums of money learning from our mistakes) Or pay someone you trust to do the work.

There are shops out there that will give you the option to bring in parts that some guy on the internet recommended, but like you said they will never stand behind the work, and who knows what kind of experience they really have. I don't blame you for not being willing to gamble your reputation on a part you have no experience with. If there was a failure the angry customer always seems to leave their fault out of the discussion when throwing you under the bus.

On a side note, not sure if it effects your contract with Merc but....Merc doesn't make a single internal part on their engines. And their mark up is horrendous IMO. But, again, I would never tell a shop how to run their business. If you are alive in the marine world today, you are doing something right.

Thanks for coming on the site!