Mercruiser 140 Alpha outdrive, questions and help

[roscottjr]

I have a 1985 Mercuriser 140 with Alpha One outdrive. This is not the Gen II drive. What is the recommended gear oil for this drive?

My other question is about steering. I would like to add power steering to this boat. It is a 1986 Wellcraft 192 Classic. It was available with power steering as an option. I have all the power steering parts from a 1987 Chaparral with a V-8. Are the power steering pumps the same and if so, does anyone have the correct brackets laying around somewhere?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser 140 Alpha outdrive, questions and help

The Mercruiser High Performance gear lube is a great choice. The green stuff.

On the power steering - sorry, can't help ya there. Someone else will have to chime in.

 

[roscottjr]

Re: Mercruiser 140 Alpha outdrive, questions and help

Also, what is the recomended oil for the engine? Any reason not to use regular automotive oil? What weight oil should I use. I had bad experience years ago with several motors for not using the recomended oil so now I only use what is recomended from the manufacturers. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser 140 Alpha outdrive, questions and help

Here ya go, straight from Mercury Marine:

 

[presley2]

Re: Mercruiser 140 Alpha outdrive, questions and help

MerCruiser 25W40 engine oil should be used in your engine. If you cannot get that then use a straight grade SAE 40 engine oil.

Make sure the straight grade engine oil is NOT a none detergent oil. DO NOT use standard automotive oils like 15W40 or 5W30 they will damage your engine due to the increased loads place on a marine engine over an automotive engine. Also automotive oils use additives to increase there viscosity and when the additive breaks down the oil becomes too thin to protect the engine. MerCruiser 25W40 is a blended oil half straight 25 viscosity and half 40 viscosity. The MerCruiser oil or a straight grade SAE 40 is your best choice.

Hopefully this is helpful.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 140 Alpha outdrive, questions and help

And if you decide to not use what is recommended by Mercruiser, then use whatever you want. Every oil know to man has been used in boat engines, and someone somewhere swears it's the best thing since sliced bread.
You see it in every oil thread that hits any boating forum.
As long as you change your oil yearly or every 100 hours (whichever comes first) as recommended by every marine engine manufacturer, you will not have any oil related problems. Same goes for your oil filter.