These days some of our marine engines seem tobe getting somewhat "rare" because there are fewer and fewer people doing quality rebuilds for old engines, and parts seem to be in short supply sometimes.
Let's keep things in perspective. Yes, in the world of "sound byte mentality" and modern-day computerized variable valve timing, a Ford 427 solid lifter or a Lincoln 430 solid lifter, or in that sense solid lifter "anything" seems to be a pretty rare. Now days, even a 283 Chevy or a 327Q is a rare bird by some standards.
I've had people at the auto parts store (yes, I shop at the auto parts store now and then) even tell me "there is no such thing as a Ford 427, you must be referring to a Chevy 427". That was a confidence builder, and I just smiled and walked out. Therefore it pays to shop at marine supply houses for marine equipment, and to generally stay OUT of the auto parts stores.
There are some great specialty shops out there who are still doing great work. Drake Engines in Rochester, NY, for instance, is familiar with Dusenberg, Marmon V-16, Jaguar, Packard V-12, Lincoln V-12, and all of the marine Hercules, Gray, Chrysler, etc. motors, including those built by Ford and Chevrolet.
Here is an example of what they can do, as advertized in Classic Boating:
Here is a pair of Chris-Craft 430 Lincolns, fresh out of the Drake shop. Properly rebuilt, these engines would most likely last as long as new ones coming off the assembly line, which would be longer than the owner would want to (or be able to) run them. I don't know too many boat owners who have run the same engines for 40-years, if you get my point!
Drake can be reached at the following link, for you guys in the NY and St Lawrence River area. To them, a Lincoln 430 or a Ford 427 is not a rare engine
http://www.drakeengines.com/index.html
On this web site you'll find some examples of their work like this
Now if you have something really simple like a Ford 427, no need to worry. They are "rare" by some standards, but they actually built a lot of them by other standards. They're so simple, in fact, that your dog can adjust the carbs on these things
Photo below: Todd Heinrich's dog, Scout, is working on a Carter AFB, sitting atop one of Todd's spare marine 427s
So guys, if you're out there thinking you have a tough problem to solve because you have "an old engine", just remember this little dog, ole Scout here, working away on these 427 Fords. Things could be worse!
If you have a dual-plug Scripps then you may have cause to worry a bit more;
Just trying to keep things in perspective!
Regards, Paul