Marine vs. Non-Marine

[Daddubo]

Your Mercury manual has been superseded. Check the oil FAQ on the Mercury website.

There's no difference in GM engine's camshafts between what GM installed in vehicles and boat builders installed in boat. Oh maybe way back in the 70s and maybe even the 80s there were, but I doubt that there's been any difference between a marine or land-going 350 or 454 in the last 20 plus years. It's been a heck of a long, long time since you could walk into any automobile showroom and purchase a passenger car with a big block V8. 1978, I think. They're all truck engines.

You are correct on the truck engines that is what I meant by automotive. The only difference is when you get in to the Hi Performance engines then you get in to heaver duty parts but those are hand built , the 330hp are just stock non emissions truck 454's I believe the 365hp just has a hotter cam.

 

[AnchorsAweigh]

There's no difference in GM engine's camshafts between what GM installed in vehicles and boat builders installed in boat. Oh maybe way back in the 70s and maybe even the 80s there were, but I doubt that there's been any difference between a marine or land-going 350 or 454 in the last 20 plus years. It's been a heck of a long, long time since you could walk into any automobile showroom and purchase a passenger car with a big block V8. 1978, I think. They're all truck engines.

Really? are you sure about that?? I'm not a "gear" head by any means so am not about to argue, but.... my friends who do all my rebuilds (30,000+ sq.ft. bldg. doing 15 motors/day avg.) would certainly argue that it's NOT the same cam being used in all trucks and boats. I myself have looked through the "phone book thick" catalog of cams alone and there are many available for every motor. As described to me (by them) is that the torque band is SIMILAR to RV/truck motors but the real difference lies within the intake/exhaust valve overlap and the potential for hydrolock.

 

[carterchapman]

It's been a heck of a long, long time since you could walk into any automobile showroom and purchase a passenger car with a big block V8. 1978, I think. They're all truck engines.

FC3...memories...my '73 Caprice convertible with a 454 - it would pass anything but a gas station...

 

[AKBASSKING]

Your Mercury manual has been superseded. Check the oil FAQ on the Mercury website.

Thanks. This is what I found:

What type of oil should I use? Can I use synthetic oil?

Engine Oil
For optimum engine performance and maximum protection, use the following oil:
ApplicationRecommended OilAll MerCruiser enginesMercury MerCruiser Full-Synthetic Engine Oil, 20W-40, NMMC FC-W rated
IMPORTANT: Lubrication requirements for catalyzed engines differ from the requirements for non-catalyzed engines. Some marine-grade lubricants contain high levels of phosphorus, which can damage the catalyst system on MerCruiser engines. Although these high-phosphorus lubricants may allow acceptable engine performance, exposure over time will damage the catalyst. Catalysts damaged by lubricants containing high levels of phosphorus may not be covered by the MerCruiser Limited Warranty.
If Mercury MerCruiser Full-Synthetic, 20W-40 oils is unavailable, use the following lubricants, listed in order of recommendation. If you are servicing a catalyst engine, use these for short periods of time only.

1. Mercury/Quicksilver 25W-40 Synthetic Blend, NMMA FC-W-rated 4-cycle MerCruiser oil
2. Mercury/Quicksilver 25W-40, NMMA FC-W-rated 4-cycle MerCruiser oil
3. Other recognized brands of NMMA FC-W-rated 4-cycle oils
4. A good-grade, straight-weight detergent automotive oil according to the last row of the operating chart below.

NOTE: We do not recommend non-detergent oils, multi-viscosity oils (other than as specified), non-FC-W-rated synthetic oils, low-quality oils, or oils that contain solid additives.

This crankcase oil recommendation supersedes all previously printed crankcase oil recommendations for MerCruiser gasoline engines. The reason for this change is to include the newer engine oils that are now available in the recommendation.
Older Operation, Maintenance & Warranty manuals, Service manuals and other publications that are not regularly updated will not be revised to show this latest engine oil recommendation. Current Operation, Maintenance & Warranty manuals, Service manuals and other service publications that receive regular updates will receive this revised recommendation the next time they are updated.

 

[AKBASSKING]

So what is the differance between Valvoline 25w-40 and NMMA FC-W-rated 4-cycle oils?

 

[Daddubo]

I found this it is pre 2004 but for what we are talking about it will work. a Fishing mag tested Marine, Synthetic and regular automotive oil so read it and make up your own mind pretty intersting.

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/dukeOfOil.html

 

[KHARRIMAN]

It would be nice if we had an unofficial CSR cross reference for parts, such as westerbeke oil filter and plugs to automotive. I found out today that the same filter I use in my honda will work in my genny. It could be swim at your own risk list...

+100..
Someone start a new thread for KNOWN substitution parts!
I know Presentation has one for the serpentine belts and there is one for the spark plugs lost in the Threads!:grin:

 

[rcknecht]

I found this it is pre 2004 but for what we are talking about it will work. a Fishing mag tested Marine, Synthetic and regular automotive oil so read it and make up your own mind pretty intersting.

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/dukeOfOil.html

:thumbsup:+ Good read... I would like see a more recent comparison...

 

[Daddubo]

Here is another question that goes around (What is the best oil Filter) well here is a test on some major filters enjoy.:thumbsup:

http://people.msoe.edu/~yoderw/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html

 

[rondds]

Here's something interesting - had to order head gaskets last winter for one engine. The OEM Merc was cheaper at B0ATF!X.com than the GM available at Rockauto.com. Blew my mind!

 

[tsquared1965]

Just goes to show you have to shop around. The internet makes it very easy .
Tony

 

[Daddubo]

Here's something interesting - had to order head gaskets last winter for one engine. The OEM Merc was cheaper at B0ATF!X.com than the GM available at Rockauto.com. Blew my mind!

I couldn't find head gaskets on Boat fix also looked at Rock Auto couldn't find any marine parts there. I just did mine they were around $48 ea for Fel Pro from NAPA just wondering what you paid for yours.

 

[rondds]

http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...bnbr=140&bdesc=CYLINDER+HEAD+AND+ROCKER+COVER


B0atfix has it for 41.99.

 

[Daddubo]

I guess I didn't do to bad I think the Marina wanted $65ea and the S/N is missing on my valve cover so I was able to match them up at NAPA.

 

[AKBASSKING]

Bought the plug wires, plugs and starter solenoid at O'Rilley's yesterday. The cap and rotor will have to come from WM. I wasn't willing to sacrifice safety to save a few $$ on a cap and a marine cap is different.

I had to take a screw driver and break the port distributer cap off. two of the four screws were rusted pretty bad and I could not get them off. I was able to get a pair of vice grips on them later (little help with some breaking oil) and get them out.

Compression check was good 150psi (dry) in all cylinders. Hope the stbd engine fairs as well.