2001 maxim 2500scr with blown head gasket - Possible engine pull?

[Jrt5000]

Hi there,
I've been having engine trouble with symptoms of rough idle, engine making a clanking noise with extreme shaking at higher rpms etc.
Anyway the marina called and said they believe it's a blown head gasket.
They said it will be an expensive fix because the engine will need to be pulled to access. The distributor is under the top deck which has to be removed first and there's no clearance to do so.

My question is.....has anymore replaced a head gasket on this model? Is it a design flaw or does this marina not know what they are doing?

The engine is a 5.7 mercruiser with a 2 barrel carb.

Thx

[mmwjr]

Jrt welcome

Duplicate thread to what you posted under sport cruisers. See my response there.

Others with a 2400 SCR have done this an it is tight on this model just do not how tight on yours.