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View Full Version : Crate 502 - Good odea or not?



dean51267
05-15-2005, 04:44 PM
considering purchasing two 502 crate motors to replace the 454's in my 1993 31' boat. Good idea or not?

franky
05-15-2005, 05:55 PM
Better yet, buy the 505/502 short blocks, have someone tear down and machin (blueprint) properly (factory sucks) balance. Buy good marine set up Aluminum heads, good push rods and rockers, Dart manifold, 850 holley, better cam, MKSD dist/ignition good high volume oil pan and have a couple of 580-600 HP reliable motors. Money well spent IMHO, worked for me.

Panic Button
05-15-2005, 05:59 PM
1800runsnew.com, real marine motors about the same price as a crate.

SmokinLowriderSS
05-15-2005, 07:09 PM
I like Frankie's line of thinking, but yea, 502's are great replacements for the venerable 454. Course, better yet, get a pair of 572's! :2purples:

TahitiBoss21
05-15-2005, 08:12 PM
from experience of a couple of my friends who drag race, and tried them in boats, they say they don't makeany power stock. people hear the word "502" and think that means power...not really...it's a smog motor stock!

TPI
05-16-2005, 05:13 AM
Definately go with the 502/502. The cam will need to be changed(minimum). Also, as stated above, Tear them down, balace them and clean them, as they are not set up very well. At that point, it might be worth pricing out the individual parts and having one assembled, the price is not that different(since you need to pull the 502/502 apart anyway).

Dave C
05-16-2005, 07:34 AM
get the 502/502 cuz its got better heads. Or get the short block and add your own heads.
The regular ol 502 heads sucks balls.....
Otherwise they are great motors! Goood parts, steel crank, forged pistons good rods, thick a*s block. :D
Get them balanced if you want but its not absolutely necessary.

dirty old man
05-16-2005, 07:37 AM
don't take half way measures, step up to the 572

phebus
05-16-2005, 07:50 AM
GT, that logo looks really nice.
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/383tplogolink-med.jpg

sdpm
05-16-2005, 07:58 AM
I have (1) BRAND NEW in the crate 502/502 GM PT # 12371204 if anyone is looking. It has never even been unwrapped from its original pkg. I just took of the lid to take some pictures for a guy.
$ 5800.00 + any freight.
I have used a few of these in jet boats but not in an I/O. They work killer in a jet. :D

TPI
05-16-2005, 08:22 AM
Phebus,
Thanks for the kudos on the logo, I have been trying to come up with something for a while, it looks cool on a navy blue shirt too......it's chrome.
As far as the 502/502, the above staement is correct, balancing is not necessary for a boat, they are pretty close. But they are VERY dirty. I have personally seen a bunch of debris go through the bearings on dyno, after the motor was gently broken in. All I am saying is, a few extra hours of labor now, is way worth the time and energy. I always pull apart GM crate motors. One more thing, I know a bunch of guys that never pull them apart, and have NOT had many problems at all. Something to consider........................