Oil level showing overfull

[Lazy Daze]

From what I understand the dip stick tube runs to the bottom of the oil pan and is angle cut just before the bottom of the pan.

It should - and usually does. It always seems like some oil gets caught up in nooks and crannies... and in oil lines and/or filter. For example, in what I mentioned above, even though there was only a small difference in what I sucked out vs drained out, the amount that had to go back in to make it read full on the stick was (if memory serves) still about 3/4 or so quart less than spec (this was a small block).

I know it's probably difficult, but I would try and get to your oil plug and drain. This way you know exactly what's going on. Maybe find a skinny 14-year old that wants to make $20.

FYI, you could replace your oil plug with that remote hose drain kit.

 

[Overvolted]

It should - and usually does. It always seems like some oil gets caught up in nooks and crannies... and in oil lines and/or filter. For example, in what I mentioned above, even though there was only a small difference in what I sucked out vs drained out, the amount that had to go back in to make it read full on the stick was (if memory serves) still about 3/4 or so quart less than spec (this was a small block).

I know it's probably difficult, but I would try and get to your oil plug and drain. This way you know exactly what's going on. Maybe find a skinny 14-year old that wants to make $20.

FYI, you could replace your oil plug with that remote hose drain kit.

Not sure if the remote drain would work in my current situation as we are moored full time and don't have a trailer. I think if I pulled the exhaust manifold I might be able to get under there and remove the drain plug. I will measure what I drained last night when I get home from work today. I had an older small block Chevy that had a 4 quart oil pan perhaps Mercury used different pans on some big blocks? Engine appears unmolested though.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Just another FYI... Remote drain... it's long enough that you can do it from inside the boat/bilge (it doesn't have to go out the garboard drain) - just zip tie it in a spot where you can easily reach it.

 

[Overvolted]

Measured what I drained out and with what was in the oil filter I got just about 6 quarts. I'm figuring with what was left in the pan, the filter lines ect I was pretty close to 7 quarts maybe minus a little for a 900+ hour big block. I'm going back to the marina on Monday to replace a faulty shore power switch and will add the seventh quart. Ill start the engine then pull the stick and look for froth. My manual calls for seven quarts.

 

[The Bill Collector]

mine was overfull too.... yes that's milky white

 

[Overvolted]

mine was overfull too.... yes that's milky white View attachment 145741

Oh man, that sucks. Hope that didn't just happen. Fortunately my oil was not milky, dirty but not milky.

 

[The Bill Collector]

Oh man, that sucks. Hope that didn't just happen. Fortunately my oil was not milky, dirty but not milky.

Head gasket... It is what it is

 

[Overvolted]

Head gasket... It is what it is

Just pulled the head off my buddys starboard engine in his house boat. 1975ish 165 straight six. Cracked the head bolts, then loosened them and the head lifted off the block by itself, gasket came off in one piece too. Gotta get it back together for 4th of July. Hope yours is not a cluster and your back on the water soon.

 

[unsalted]

My Mercruiser engine manual specifies the dimensions of the dip stick. You can verify it if you have the Mercruiser manual for yours.

 

[Overvolted]

My Mercruiser engine manual specifies the dimensions of the dip stick. You can verify it if you have the Mercruiser manual for yours.

l do not have a manual, its a 1987 so doubtful Sea Ray will still have it. I will do some searching though as I'd like to know for sure.

Edit, I have a Sealoc manual. Now where the hell did I put it?

 

[The Bill Collector]

Just pulled the head off my buddys starboard engine in his house boat. 1975ish 165 straight six. Cracked the head bolts, then loosened them and the head lifted off the block by itself, gasket came off in one piece too. Gotta get it back together for 4th of July. Hope yours is not a cluster and your back on the water soon.

It's just my gen. I'm still cruising, thank you

 

[Overvolted]

My Mercruiser engine manual specifies the dimensions of the dip stick. You can verify it if you have the Mercruiser manual for yours.

Can you tell me where you saw dip stick length in your manual? I'm looking through mine and don't see it.

 

[Overvolted]

I found on boats.net 14607 dipstick was used on 454 engines and my engine serial number, OB810406 falls in between the serial numbers listed. Seloc manual calls for between 5 and 7 quarts for the 454MAG, this is a little frustrating. Even at 5 quarts id be well over the full mark.

 

[unsalted]

Can you tell me where you saw dip stick length in your manual? I'm looking through mine and don't see it.

It’s Mercruiser manual 31 for small block gym’s. Page 3A-27 titled Crankcase Oil Dipstick Measurements.

 

[Lazy Daze]

I do recall that there were different oil pans used with the big block over the years. Although I don't recall the exact year that the change(s) were made. Using your serial number (as you did) "should" get you the right info... but there are multiple reasons that it could still be different.

 

[unsalted]

OB810406

This is the serial number for your stern, not your engine. When I use it to lookup parts of Mercruiser site it brings me to Alpha sterndrive info, not the 7.4L engine info.

 

[Overvolted]

This is the serial number for your stern, not your engine. When I use it to lookup parts of Mercruiser site it brings me to Alpha sterndrive info, not the 7.4L engine info.

When I was looking for info on the oil pan and dipstick I came across this and thought it was for the engine.

 

[Lazy Daze]

As Freshie mentioned, that number is for an Alpha transom plate assembly. What you found online does not tell you what your serial number is for the ENGINE. You have to know your engine serial number ahead of time. Where did you get OB810406 from? Find your ENGINE serial number. If you don't have documentation from your purchase slip, then look for the small ID plate on the stbd side of the flyhwheel housing, near the starter.

 

[Overvolted]

As Freshie mentioned, that number is for an Alpha transom plate assembly. What you found online does not tell you what your serial number is for the ENGINE. You have to know your engine serial number ahead of time. Where did you get OB810406 from? Find your ENGINE serial number. If you don't have documentation from your purchase slip, then look for the small ID plate on the stbd side of the flyhwheel housing, near the starter.

I see that now. Naturally the other sticker with the engine serial number wore off long ago. Going to the boat tomorrow morning and will look for the serial number on the block and will see if I can access the oil pan drain bolt.

 

[km1125]

It’s Mercruiser manual 31 for small block gym’s. Page 3A-27 titled Crankcase Oil Dipstick Measurements.

Really makes you question things when the numbers don't add up. That bottom line shows the dipstick overall length at 33.25 inches, but someone didn't convert mm to in correctly... that should e 35.25in.

And to the OP... were those amounts with or without oil filter change? If you pre-filled he filter, was that part of the 7qts?