Just closed on a new to me boat (2000 38' Fountain) and don't do much wrenching on my own, so hoping for some help from those that are much more knowledgeable.

I know the valve spring issue has been covered several times, and I'm convinced I need to at least upgrade to the Comp Cams springs and Crane retainers and locks from the HP 500 EFI. Are there better options for replacement parts? If so please recommend brand and part #'s. How much should I expect to pay per engine installed?

However, I'm wondering if I should stop there or have the entire valvetrain rebuilt while the heads are off? If I have the entire valvetrain rebuilt what parts would you recommend? How much additional cost vs. just having the springs, etc. above replaced?

Also have heard I should have the head gaskets changed to FelPro instead of the standard Merc gaskets. Can anyone give me the part # or recommend another brand and part #? Maybe even upgrade to cometic gaskets? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

If there's anything else besides normal maintenance that should be done around 150 hours on these engines I'd really appreciate that info.

Thanks in advance for the help,
Brad

Teague did an article on this that you can search on the achieves. With only 150 hours all he recommended was changing to the Comp 929 springs and Crane 7 degree or Manley 10 degree retainers. Set the springs up at 1.88. You must change the retainers was the emphasis or the article as they loaded the inner spring too much. Everything else is good stuff.

I would defiantly change from the GM head gasket to a better one such as Cometic or Fel Pro. The MLS gaskets can be gotten as thin as .027 that would add about 1/4 point compression over the .041 GM gasket used.

Good Luck

Do what Linster said. My 1999 HP500s broke springs and beat the spacers to a pulp. When the engines were torn down we found out that the head gasket would NOT have lasted the season. I used a Cometic and replaced the springs. Cost depends on where you live.
Good luck

Shawn

I found my gaskets just starting to fail when I tore mine down. I had to replace the lifters because on at least half of them you could push the pin/roller assembly out with your finger! I also had to replace the cam because one of the lifters had totally failed (the reason I yanked them apart in the first place).

Ended up with Crane #731 cams along with a head port and exhaust relief. Very happy with the results.