Big block opinions

I like it your plan! Please let us know how the "wet" compression test looks. IF you decide to just run it this season and do an off-season valve job on that engine, please monitor it very carefully. Include a mid-season compression check on at least those four cylinders. A lot of "if's" here, but ...if... there's a valve burning badly, part of it can come off and drop into the cylinder. We don't want that. If compression falls WAY off, please stop running it.
 
I agree with j-d. I think you need another compression test to see if anything has changed. Then get a different mechanic to give you second opinion. When I got my valve job done, made a huge difference.
 
j-d...no offense....but ya raised my anxiety again just a little. A burnt valve dropping into the cylinder was not something I had thought of. If indeed the wet test shows no improvement in readings, I suppose I need to plan on a mid-season compression check. The middle cylinders are not that bad for access-the one that is a real bear is the one at the very back on the hull side. I'll plan on doing another compression check within the next couple of weeks and will post the results. Thanks to all for your help.
 
Screw the compression test until you put a few hours on the engine.

These guys lay awake nights thinking of nightmare scenarios. While the other 99% of us change the oil and filters and rarely have problems.

GeeBee said it all. If it aint broke - don't fix it.

Most boaters that regularly run their boats DON'T have sever problems. Most of the nightmare problems have never happened to the people that bring them up, but rather are something they read about somewhere or they heard about it from their brother in laws cousin twice removed.
 
That's cuz most people don't put on the hours that fishermen do. Present boat average 250 hrs/yr. Previous boat did 1200 hrs in 3 yrs...and I'm not even commercial.
 
I've only seen one burnt valve drop like that. Friend bought a very pretty but totally worn out Dodge Passenger Van, 360 V8. It leaked every fluid, front end was worn out, one cylinder well below 100-psi. He decided to do no repairs, add whatever fluids it needed, and drive it. Very pronounced miss in the engine. That's a far worse case than what you have here. I'd rather hope that another test will yield better numbers. But if it doesn't then just be aware it's trying to tell you something.
 
OHB...thanks for pushin my anxiety level back down-what a roller coaster ride this has been. This is my 3rd project boat...the 2nd required an engine rebuild shortly after I bought her-I would really hate to have to absorb that cost on this boat at this point in time. I guess I'm a little more sensitive than I should be with this current project boat. I had visions of just updating the interior and electronics and cleaning up the engine room etc. The left curve the mechanic threw me upset the apple cart. Cooler heads prevailing-most notably opinions from this thread...have reduced the "sky is falling" reaction that I had initially. The mechanic is "new to me" but seems quite knowledgeable about big block engines. Again...I can't thank you all enough for the input on this thread.
 
You might want to read my response to the waddington effect in ATC.
 
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