I am constantly seeing threads where a boater just can't get things right with their current machine shop. Either taking years to get an engine built or constantly having trouble after it is built. I am going to give a shout out on here to my buddy Ray at R&R Motorsports. Ray has been doing my machine work for over 25 years and does a fantastic job, everything from dirt track engines, boats and Fedex trucks. He once bored and honed a 7.3 powerstroke block for me while I waited so that I could get a truck back on the road. You don't get this kind of service many places.

If you are needing machine shop services or dyno tuning in the Midwest area, you should call and talk to Ray. He has the nicest and cleanest shop that I have ever been in and he understands what is going on.
https://www.rrmotorsports.net/

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I talked to Ray a few days ago and they are pretty slow with no racing going on. If you are looking to build some bigger power or just need to refresh a tired 454, give him a shout. It is worth the trip to his shop just to see all of the cool vintage race cars in his collection. Tell him Joe sent you and he will give you the good tour.

A buddy of mine sent me these pics of his blown up 600SCI on June 15th. I referred him to Ray to get it rebuilt. Boat was back on the water for July 4th weekend running better than it did when it was new. This would have been an 18 month project for alot of boat owners.

He currently has a 540 Raylar engine (GEN 7) that he is fixing that has never been right since it was new. I wonder if it belongs to anyone on here?

I know exactly whose that one is. The flywheel bolts backed out on him a Lake Cumberland Thunder Run this year and he wanted to make sure everything is ok throughout the motor after that happened.

I know that the intake valves are hitting the pistons. Someone from the Chicago area

This is my engine and yes the intake valves were slightly hitting piston valve relief. But some of this could have been a result of it overheating and metal expanding.

I had that happen on a 575 sci when I put a set of Brodix heads on it. Ended up changing pistons to a set with larger diameter valve relief. I never knew they were hitting until I tore it down for a refresh.

That`s good to know, even thou MIDWEST did a great job they used my one of block as a garbage can I guess. They scrapped the intake gaskets off and most of it ended up in the block
Good thing for external oil pump and screen otherwise i`d be pulling motor to get at the pickup screen.. Why can`t people just not be such idiots?