Too many times I hear complaints about engine builders , mechanics , and marinas . Well recently I had the privilege of dealing with 2 GREAT guys in the industry.

First a little background so you all understand why I'm so appriciative : I have a 42 Fountain Poker Run Edition that I bought as a project . I have built this boat with a true open checkbook and money was never a deciding factor on the path that lead me where I now am. Over the years I have had MANY engines built, boats rigged, fiberglass and paint work done and general mechanical work performed. After too many problems with poor quality work , not meeting deadlines ,and falling short of expectations I decided to do All my own work. Now I am truly lucky to have help from my friends that are legends in performance boating(Sgro,Betz,Cibellis,Cropper,Zul,Skip MRD,Eddie Electra). Although these guys help plenty, it's becoming tiring doing ALL the work myself ,but I've learned the hard way that when I don't I'm always disappointed.

This year in Kew West , I had a intake valve break . My boat is stored at McClean Motor Sports in Pompano Fl for the winter months and I live in NY. I wanted to diagnose and fix the problem myself. Ron McClean quickly removed the engine from my boat, tore the engine down and sent me pictures then crated the engine up for delivery back to NY. After I found the underlying problems and began the repairs, I sent McClean a package with valve springs, retainers, locks, pushrods, harmonic balancer. Ron McClean swapped out those parts on the engine that still remained in the boat. After the new engine was shipped back to Fl to get installed in the boat,McClean found a list of things that needed attention. Leaking oil cooler, leaking headers, Changed valve covers ( had KE 2 piece for years with problems) faulty TPS, blockage in water system, and a few other small items. I gave McClean a firm deadline because I wanted to run the boat in last weeks Marathon run. McClean did a GREAT job, the boat was ready and the work was better than I would have done myself. This was one of the first times that someone has gone above and beyond to make sure my boat was correct. He didn't just go through the motions and do a satisfactory job he went through the boat and made it right !!!!!!!!!!!! My bilge is dry and OIL FREE,,,, isn't that what we all want ?

Now a little bit about Eddie Young
My engines have whipple EFI with Mefi 4 . Before I owned these engines there have been at least 6 well known engine builders that have tried to tune them. It seems to be a situation of too many cooks stirring the pot. The engines made great power but the fuel curve was like a roller coaster. After this rebuild I sent the engine to Young Performance Marine to get dyno tuned . Eddie ran my engine on the dyno with my wet headers and accessories to get a more accurate tune. He first broke in the engine and made a pull with the existing Calabration in the MEFI. The results were as I expected, down on power and poor drivability. Eddie erased the program and started fresh with a Calabration of his own. After he was done tuning, the engine made 80 more HP than it made with the original calibration and it has the flattest TQ I have ever seen. I sent Eddie the MEFI box from the 2nd engine also so he could re flash with his new calibration . Both engines now Idle as smooth as a 525 , 800 rpm idle,They shift without the slightest hiccup , jumps up on plane without hesitation and start either cold or hot with the touch of the key. 1150 HP that feels like stock Mercury power.
Eddie Blew away my expectations while NEVER bad mouthing any of the previous people that attempted to tune these ECM's. He met my VERY TIGHT deadline ,and I was shocked at how reasonable the bill was. One of the biggest benefits to Young is that he has a great understanding of both engines and the boats they are installed in. Although this was a small job for Young Performance , Eddie treated me and my small project as if it was a big job.

Always nice to hear a story with a happy ending. You have one bad a$$ ride!

Excellent story Billy!

Hard to find someone as well versed in engine building/tuning, and the actual rigging and operation of the engine, once its installed in a boat, as Eddie. Lots of guys could build horsepower, making it work in the boat, is a whole different story. Eddie is as straight as they come. Sounds like your stuff is running great now! Also sounds like Mclean is top notch as well!

Knowing your vast backround in the boating community, I know that your review, is a worthy and factual one.

Thank you Billy. I'm glad that we was able to fit it in your time schedule. It was a pleasure doing business with you. Glad to hear that it went well. I don't know Ron McClean but in just the few minutes that I spoke with him, he seems to know his chit. He had no problem understanding my directions on setting the TPS, etc. on the second engine. Sounds like he works hours like us because he sure got it back together quickly.

Let me know if you need anything. It may need a little tweeking in the boat, which I would be glad to do. Just give me a shout.
Eddie

Good to hear and definitely a badass ride!

All the good vibes here make me want to think about pulling my motors and getting sending them down even though they are running OK and my wallet is strained.

Any pics billy boats, always loved the poker run Fountains?

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2nd best looking Fountain out there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO9VL_mSdTM
Just Sayin'

4th of July is hilarious, lots of drunk, patriotic Americans!