Spun a rod bearing and crank needs turned. While engine is out I may as well get the full rebuild. Guesstimate on short block rebuild cost? Just so I know my builder is in the ballpark.

Any thoughts on upgrading to Keith Black pistons? This is a blower motor application.

Tim T.

DO NOT RUN KB hypereutectic (sp) pistons! its a cute name for cast junk!!! get some forged pistons, if your on a budget use speedpro/trw forged pistons or for a couple hundred more get je's, get the crank turned no more than 10/10 have the rods resized on the big end and have the small end set up for floating pin. balance the rotating assm. what is your shop wanting for a fresh short block?

Been there done that. I wish I took the advice of others and went with a new marine crate motor to begin with. You never know what other hidden damages there might be. With the high cost of 502 parts and time involved, Im going with the new marine crate 502. Especially now that spring is here. Totally down time a week at the most. Cost around 6K. Good luck with ever route you take.

I considered a new crate motor but for the less money I should be able to have a better engine built. I would pop for better bearings and pistons than what comes with the new crate motor.

Wouldn't a crate motor come w/ JE pistons and forged crank. 502 crate

Here's a labor/machining price sheet based on $70 per hour labor rate from a local reputable machine shop that machines lots of engines destined for marine use. It lists all or most of the machining processes that your engine may need to under go for a rebuild. It should be in the ball park or at least give you a fair idea of what you should be spending for a rebuild by a reputable shop. (click to englarge photos)

I just finished three hp500s for a friends Fountain 42 and they were completely balanced and blue printed new arp rod bolts JE pistons reconditioned rods ground the cranks align honed the blocks parallel decked and bore and honed new cam bearings he got the cams and the new heads and had me assemble the heads and set the springs up the short blocks were $2500 machined and assembled each. Most importantly with the quality parts you need best of luck Laz

Tim, is this your motor that had the knocking?

That was the knocker, all rod bearings were in pretty poor shape. Mains were OK and everything else looked pretty good. Good oil pressure at hot idle. Just too many hours. Should have run it 10 more hours last fall and I would be doing the rebuild over the winter rather than now.

Laz ... am I reading this right ? you did the machine work & assembly ... supplied the rod bolts and pistons .. for 2500.00 ?