What would be the maximum safe cruising RPM for a nearly new 496 HO Mag if it is propped correctly. Lets say this extended cruise RPM is for 5-10minutes. Engine in question is a bone stock engine from Merc. What would its "all day long" safe maximum cruise RPM be?

Thank you, formulafastech. From the lack of responses that musta really been a dumb question.

That's a good question and I think formula has a good answer. The only thing I would add is the higher you run the engine, the faster it will need service. So if you consistently run it at 3750rpm, you may need to sevice the top end at say 200hrs. If you consistently run it at 3500rpm, the top end should be good to 350hrs or so. Run it at 3200rpm consistently and you should see 500hrs easy with no top end trouble. Graduated scale I'd say based on the habits of the captain.

BT

so for all the oh oh bad habits people i see on the poker runs
that run 502's at 4500-5300 all the time, re build instead if change the oil every 20 hrs..
interesting thought,, hmmm