You can use the 330 bottom end for 500 hp max i have seen severalof those engines with that hp running around here with out problems the forged is the way to go.
Boostpower usa has the stainless stock riser that is extended..
I am runnig aluminum edelbrock heads in the chesapeake. A lot of people do. You will just need to purchase a flush kit when you are finished for the weekend and run on a garden hose

You can use the 330 bottom end for 500 hp max i have seen severalof those engines with that hp running around here with out problems the forged is the way to go. THEY HAVE A LARGE OVAL PORT AND A SMALL OVAL PORT. THE LARGER OVAL PORT I HAVE HEARD MAKES DECENT POWER
Boostpower usa has the stainless stock riser that is extended..
I am runnig aluminum edelbrock heads in the chesapeake. A lot of people do. You will just need to purchase a flush kit when you are finished for the weekend and run on a garden hose

Okay, I know I've been all over the map. Just trying to figure out what I want to do. Does anyone have experience with scat (or other brands) 496 stroker kits? I've been looking at them. I wonder if my heads would flow good enough for 496 cubes? I know I'd have to upgrade my exhaust if I did that. And carb? And Hydraulic steering. It's all a big vicious circle isn't it?

Change one thing, modify 3 others. The relentless pursuit of perfection my friend!

Side thought: Your boat is beautiful!!! Very classy resto. of that luxurious kind of style that is reminiscent of that era. Comfortable, Runs a decent speed, cruises at a decent speed, starts, etc. etc. etc.

My Scarab will run 78-82 mph with surface drives. I've spent money on it in the past tweaking speed. I'm spending a ton more to resto it and make it run faster!!! I'm already down the rabbit-hole. HOWEVER, In reality it runs WOT very little in it's life. 90% of the time (or more) we're cruising 45 mph, thumping around docks and restaurants, parking on beaches with friends, just enjoying being out. Now days, if I'm "racing" someone, it's usually somebody I'm hanging around with at the lake.

The amount of time, effort and cash it will take to make that Cadillac scamper a little faster vs.the awesome machine you built now needs to considered. I don't know that I'd mess with it, it looks pretty much perfect like it is! Speed is an ugly addiction--"just say NO!"

What addiction, I don't have a prob prob problem. So what if I have 4000 hours into working on my boat and 10 hours on the water.

Thanks CDShack, yeah I can see where it would get outa control. LOL BlownscarabI!

We replaced all the rocker studs with ARP's and took the boat out yesterday. It ran good with no probs. we plan to take it to gulf shores later this week. I look forward to seeing what kind of speed we can get in some good choppy water.

I pick up about 2+ mph in 1-2' chop.

Gulf shores trip got postponed. I took the boat out last Saturday. damaged the props, had local prop shop repair them. Took the boat out today to try them out (prop guy added a little pitch). Was going full throttle then it sounded like all heck broke lose. # 1 exhaust valve broke, exploded piston, broke can in four places, destroyed head and prolly block too. This things a mess. We were running a lot of timing(38), but it ran good and wasn't pinging. Until the big detonation lol.