Mercruiser Oil Pan Replacement and Protection

Raptor61

Cadet
Joined
Jun 16, 2023
Messages
13
I'm pulling the motor on an older 1988 Mercruiser 5.7L to replace corroded oil pan with a Sierra. Planning to add a few coats of additional paint (primer and top coat) and am wondering what people have found to work best to maintain the pan. Will plan to keep water out of the bilge and to clean and wipe down the pan occasionally to remove any salt and add corrosion protection coating such as Boshield or Corrosion X.

Helpful hints are appreciated especially given the labor to remove the motor to get to the oil pan.

Thanks.
 

Bondo

Moderator
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,194
Ayuh,..... Rustoleum industrial enamel,....
 

Scott06

Admiral
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Apr 20, 2014
Messages
6,913
Have seen others use Bed liner on the oil pans to prevent corrosion
 

kenny nunez

Captain
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Jun 20, 2017
Messages
3,352
I used to spray the timing cover with the balancer off and the pan with 3M underbody spray. I even did this on new Re power engines. This was before I had access to bed liner coating which should work also.
When changing the pan it is a good time to replace the timing cover.
 

Raptor61

Cadet
Joined
Jun 16, 2023
Messages
13
I used to spray the timing cover with the balancer off and the pan with 3M underbody spray. I even did this on new Re power engines. This was before I had access to bed liner coating which should work also.
When changing the pan it is a good time to replace the timing cover.
Im hoping to just replace the gasket for the timing cover and not have to replace the cover as well. I'm way over budget and it keeps on going. Hopefully others have had success with just a new gasket with the original cover (1988). Engine has low hours for its age, but perhaps it is due to be replaced as well since it would be a huge effort to do on its own later.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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50,585
Paint.....then annual application of boeshield or fluid film

Pan is cheaper direct from GM
 

kenny nunez

Captain
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Jun 20, 2017
Messages
3,352
When your engine was new and paint was applied the 3 spokes of the balancer blocked any paint. I bet your cover is so thin in spots that if you pushed an ice pick against it would go right through. While the cover can be changed with the oil pan installed it is a PITA.
 

matt167

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 27, 2012
Messages
4,192
Timing covers are cheap. Idk why you wouldn’t change it
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,193
Mine’s been protected a slight seepage of oil over the years lol. I spray both the timing cover & pan with corrosion x every couple of years.
 
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