1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

[ronn07]

1. Anyone know where I can get a decent Oil extractor pump for a good price?
(Bass Pro has one for about $25) Anyone used it?

2. Exactly what type of oil do I need to use. I am some what mechanical and since OMC is basically a Chevy engine can I just use a synthetic 10w30 or do I need to get a "marine" oil?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

Howdy,

I have the Moeller pump and I use it with a drain hose that connects at the drain plug on my 454.

It came with a rigid vinyl tube but it's pretty slow if the oil is cold. Using the drain hose it doesn't matter if the oil is cold.

As far as the oil itself, you can do a search on this board and get bored reading oil threads.

Every oil has been tried and ALL of it works and will not "hurt anything" according to all the testimonials!

Your best bet however is to use the owners manual (if you have one) and just use what they suggest. or follow Mercury's recommendation.
http://www.mercurymarine.com/serviceandwarranty/mercruiserfaqs/fueloil.php


I cannot say what I use. It's classified.

Cheers,


Rick

 

[ronn07]

Re: 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

Thanks for the tip!

 

[o-jay]

Re: 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

I found one at Sears.com and AceHardware.com, I think they're called Pumpmaster or something like that for about $10. My local store didn't have one, and I'll actually be pretty surprised if it works more than once, but for $10 I'll buy one every year or so. I had a nice Jabsco, but the impeller is fried and I can't find a replacment.

As far as oil goes, my advice is to use whatever you like. My 4.3 is about the same age as yours ('87), and I just use a good quality multi-vis motor oil. Autozone usually has a decent one for about $15 for 5 quarts and a filter. Marine oil/filter isn't necessary. That's not true for everything though, some marine stuff is unique, mostly electrical items.

Have fun...

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

Those engines call for straight 30 weight. Its in the Factory OMC manual.
Shell Rotella T at about any auto parts store...12 bucks a gallon.
Very good oil for marine use. The 10w oils are too thin for me.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

Since you have the threaded gardenhose fitting at the top of the dipstick, make sure you buy one that threads into it instead of the ones where you insert a tube that goes down the dipstick. Those tubes are too thin and that is why they work poorly.

 

[ronn07]

Re: 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

Since you have the threaded gardenhose fitting at the top of the dipstick, make sure you buy one that threads into it instead of the ones where you insert a tube that goes down the dipstick. Those tubes are too thin and that is why they work poorly.

yeah I notices that. The threads are on the outside of the top of the tube.

Now should I warm the engine up to thin out the oil a little or is it better to try and suck out as much of the old oil as possible?

 

[ronn07]

Re: 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

Those engines call for straight 30 weight. Its in the Factory OMC manual.
Shell Rotella T at about any auto parts store...12 bucks a gallon.
Very good oil for marine use. The 10w oils are too thin for me.

I'm going to get the OMC Manual from the previous owner tonight. I am a big fan of Shell products. I use it in my Harley. Full Synthetic 20w50.

Thanks again Gary!

 

[180shabah]

Re: 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

Northern has a decent oil extractor for $40. It's a metal can witha vacuum pump. Hook it to the dipstick tube, pump it up (or would it be pump it down for vacuum???) and open the valve. Sit back and have a drink, when it gurgles, it's done.

As for the oil choice - I would actually suggest NOT using synthetic in this instance. Engine is old enough that the seals are probably marginal and synthetic will leak. Besides water intrusion and corrosion will kill your engine LONG before oil failure even has a chance.

 

[Diggerpine]

Re: 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

yeah I notices that. The threads are on the outside of the top of the tube.

Now should I warm the engine up to thin out the oil a little or is it better to try and suck out as much of the old oil as possible?

I've got a '93 4.3L OMC I/O Four Winns 180 Freedom and I would recommend warming up the oil before sucking it out. I've also found out that in a lot of places, multi-viscosity oil is the norm and single viscosity oils are hard to find. The Service Manual calls for straight 30 wt. oil.

 

[ronn07]

Re: 1989 4.3L OMC Cobra I/O Oil Questions

I've got a '93 4.3L OMC I/O Four Winns 180 Freedom and I would recommend warming up the oil before sucking it out. I've also found out that in a lot of places, multi-viscosity oil is the norm and single viscosity oils are hard to find. The Service Manual calls for straight 30 wt. oil.

I called my local Autoparts store and they have the Shell Rotella T 30Wt.

Thanks for the advice everyone!!!