Gents some advice if you please; I am looking at a boat powered with 496 HOs wi- Raylar Big Power CNC aluminum cylinder heads,Raylar's full-roller rockers,BP-206 Max Effort Camshafts and Pistons. Aeromotive fuel system with upgraded injectors. Between 100-200 hours. The problem: love the boat, like to run WOT very occassionaly, butI really dont need all the power and would prefer a reliable, EZ maintenance setup. The Question: Since i dont have a heavy foot but i do like to cruise pretty fast, maybe 3500-4000 RPM. Given my preference for reliability, am I insane to consider these Raylar motors? Raylars- run from them like a scalded dog or reliable if not beat on? Thanks.

I didn’t think they were really anymore maintenance than any other performance engine. The normal routine maintenance checks and replacements etc. I wouldn’t let them be any deal breaker and you’ll be happier in the long run. Otherwise whatever you get engine wise you’ll be wanting to upgrade after a season. JMO

Probably the same answers as you got here To Raylar or not to Raylar?

Deja Vu

That remains to be seen. In any case all pertinent responses to this thread will be very much appreciated, as they were on the last.

It sounds like you want stock power, but this boat has massively modified motors. All you can do is get all the information about the motors and make an informed decision. Sounds like they used the right parts, but who put the motors together? Someone with experience? You say between 100-200 hours on the motors or since the the Raylar kit was installed? A delta of 100 hours is a lot. Are you going to maintain them? If not, is your marina or mechanic ok with Raylar built 496's? Get a survey, leak down test, go run them if you can.

If the motors were built correctly, maintained correctly, run correctly there is no reason to think they won't continue to run, especially if you are planning on running them reasonably.

Raylar gear, when installed correctly and maintained correctly are just fine.

lol'ing at the multiple threads...

Good point. im not wrenching on em so that is a question I should ask of my local shop. I may have to take the boat to Houston for maintenance.

The 496HO platform is a very reliable, long hour running engine in general. There are some weaknesses we've seen over time, however not common. These are piston failures, sometimes rods. The stock fuel system has had issues also. Those Raylar kits addressed those weaknesses. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase these, especially since they have run 100+ hours. In my experience if something is going to fail it's generally at low hours after someone worked on it or modified it.

said no one ever and yeah don`t we all.