454 oil?

Dobb15 · May 24, 2012

Hey guys just bought a 1989 Checkmate Vision last year with a 454 merc (BRAVO ONE) and will be changing the oil for the first time this year, Just wondering what kind of oil i should run in it? synthetic??? 15w - 40??? let me know THANK YOU!!

HT32BSX115 · May 24, 2012

Re: 454 oil?

Dobb15 said:
Hey guys just bought a 1989 Checkmate Vision last year with a 454 merc (BRAVO ONE) and will be changing the oil for the first time this year, Just wondering what kind of oil i should run in it? synthetic??? 15w - 40??? let me know THANK YOU!!

Howdy,

I have one those 454's!

A suggestion is just a "Click" away!

http://www.mercurymarine.com/servic...ntenance/faqs/mercruiser/?category=fuel#MCOil

Or you can do a search on iboats and read the several hundred messages that sound somethink like "I use xxx oil and have never had a problem"

Otherwise you could use what I use in my "sig' below......

Regards,

Rick

joewithaboat · May 24, 2012

Re: 454 oil?

15w50 mobil1 full synthetic. Has the proper ZDDP for anti scuff on flat tappets, which I'm guessing your 89 has.

Best over the counter oil you can buy. You can get it at Walmart.

Most over the counter oil now is not for use with flat tappets by the way!

HT32BSX115 · May 24, 2012

Re: 454 oil?

joewithaboat said:
15w50 mobil1 full synthetic. Has the proper ZDDP for anti scuff on flat tappets, which I'm guessing your 89 has.

Best over the counter oil you can buy. You can get it at Walmart.

Most over the counter oil now is not for use with flat tappets by the way!

Here we go....:facepalm:

Hmm.......my 454 has roller followers........

Whew.......dodged that bullet!

picklenjim · May 25, 2012

Re: 454 oil?

If you want to go synthetic the Mobile 1 15-50 seems to be most popular.
If you want to go conventional Valvoline racing 20-50. It actually has slightly more zinc/phosphorus than the mobile. You can get it at Auto Zone.

As Joe mentioned most oils now a days have had most of the zinc/phosphorus removed because it ruines catalytic converters. There fore most modern engines use roller lifters. You need that zinc/phos for the high pressure of flat tappets on the cam.

joewithaboat · May 25, 2012

Re: 454 oil?

HT32BSX115 said:
Here we go....:facepalm:

Hmm.......my 454 has roller followers........

Whew.......dodged that bullet!

I know how oil threads can be.

I used to be one of those that used the inexpensive conventional and changed it often.

I then got some behind the scenes experience at full on racing facilities with machine shops, dyno rooms etc.

I have seen more than one successful racing team, that has a substantial oil manufacture sponsorship including pallets of free oil, take brand new bottles and empty and clean them only to be filled with mobil1. They then could be seen at the track changing or adding oil that appears to be a brand that it is not.

After having built, assembled, raced using it and other more expensive "boutique" synthetic oils the difference in the wear of lack of it is nothing short of amazing.

Just my .02 and where i am coming from.

Most people who bad mouth expensive oil are just too cheap to use it and have no actual experience to base there opinion on other than " i have always used xxx and never had any problems "

Don S · May 25, 2012

454 oil?

Dobb15

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HT32BSX115

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HT32BSX115

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joewithaboat

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