New cylinder heads

[Dabble]

Hi All,
I’m looking for new cylinder heads for my starboard engine. 1997 Mercruiser 5.7.
Any suggestions? I’ve found them on Amazon and a few other online retailers but figured I should check on CSR before ordering.
Thanks!

 

[HawkX66]

Hi All,
I’m looking for new cylinder heads for my starboard engine. 1997 Mercruiser 5.7.
Any suggestions? I’ve found them on Amazon and a few other online retailers but figured I should check on CSR before ordering.
Thanks!

It's just a 350 Chevy head. 97 is Vortec I think. Stock Mercruiser heads are nothing special although you'll want to make sure you have similar sized valves and and chamber volume. Look at the casting number under your valve cover and Google it. You might be surprised at how many are available.
What makes you think you need new heads versus having a machine shop rebuild them? Rotted?

 

[Thornton69]

A local machine shop can likely clean yours up relatively quickly. I just had a set of Vortec heads done last week. It was a 3 day turn around and $600 CAD for the pair.
The '97 5.7 Mercruiser currently in our boat, still has the the pre Vortec heads with the 12 bolt intake manifold. Believe '98 is when they made the switch.

 

[Dabble]

I have a leaky intake and exhaust valve so am replacing the head. I wasn’t sure if I needed a marine specific head or not. Thanks much!

 

[HawkX66]

I have a leaky intake and exhaust valve so am replacing the head. I wasn’t sure if I needed a marine specific head or not. Thanks much!

No disrespect intended, but in most cases that is like replacing a car because you got a flat tire...

 

[370Dancer]

Www. Marineengines4less.com

 

[Dabble]

No disrespect intended, but in most cases that is like replacing a car because you got a flat tire...

None taken. Mechanic has recommend repower and that was not acceptable so he then recommended replacing the head that has low compression and leaky valves. Is there a different fix that you would recommend?

I am not a mechanic and this is my first big boat so I'm on a bit of a learning curve...

 

[HawkX66]

None taken. Mechanic has recommend repower and that was not acceptable so he then recommended replacing the head that has low compression and leaky valves. Is there a different fix that you would recommend?

I am not a mechanic and this is my first big boat so I'm on a bit of a learning curve...

Depending on the condition of the head, not rotted, pitted etc., I would drop the heads off at a machine shop and ask them to complete a valve job. Maybe $500 depending on what needs repairing.
Mechanics love to replace parts with brand new because it's easy for them. Not so easy on your wallet if it isn't really necessary.
Feel free to take a look at the link in my signature. You can see how bad my block and heads were and what they looked like after machining.

 

[Shenanigans77]

I chose to go new heads when I did both my top ends strictly because of time not money. Would have had mine rebuilt had time allowed. Not waiting on machine shop, its less than a days work per motor if you have all the parts handy. You raw or freshwater cooled? If raw is it salt? Raw water and salt id go new no matter what.

 

[Dabble]

I chose to go new heads when I did both my top ends strictly because of time not money. Would have had mine rebuilt had time allowed. Not waiting on machine shop, its less than a days work per motor if you have all the parts handy. You raw or freshwater cooled? If raw is it salt? Raw water and salt id go new no matter what.

Freshwater cooled in saltwater. I will replace the head that has the low compression. Thanks much to everyone that responded!

 

[Dabble]

Where can I find the casting number for the heads? Do I have to pull them?

are there specific marine heads? I’ve read that the valves may be different for Maine applications.

 

[Shenanigans77]

Where can I find the casting number for the heads? Do I have to pull them?

are there specific marine heads? I’ve read that the valves may be different for Maine applications.

Pull the valve cover, casting number is on top the head. Nothing special about a 5.7 marine head. Stainless valves would be about all.

 

[Thornton69]

Freshwater cooled in saltwater. I will replace the head that has the low compression. Thanks much to everyone that responded!

You would be crazy to be paying someone to go that deep on a 24 year old engine and not replace the second cylinder head. There is a good likelihood it will be close behind and then you will have an unbalanced engine again. Not trying to spend your money, maybe save you some down the road.

 

[Shenanigans77]

You would be crazy to be paying someone to go that deep on a 24 year old engine and not replace the second cylinder head. There is a good likelihood it will be close behind and then you will have an unbalanced engine again. Not trying to spend your money, maybe save you some down the road.

This....intake already off. Youre doin one, do both

 

[Dabble]

This....intake already off. Youre doin one, do both

will do. Compression was all on high end on that side so wasn’t sure if it was worth it. Seems like many parts have to come off for both heads so I will do both.