Mercruiser oil pan

[Blujay96]

Is there any differance between a marine oil pan and a auto. This is for a 350. 1979.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Ayuh,... That depends...
Some marine oil pan, incorporate the dipstick into the pan...
No automobile pans have that option...

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Most marine pans also have an oil control baffle built into them to help keep oil in the sump area when the boat is at angles other than horizontally level. Some auto oil pans have the baffles, but not all do.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Baffle is sometimes referred to as "windage tray".

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Due to Merc trying to rip me off to the tune of $730, I bought a new oil pan from an on-line GM parts supplier. It arrived to my door (USA to Australia) for under $150. The pan in EXACTLY the same, including the windage tray. Just needed a coat of shiny black paint and it's now my new 'Quicksliver' oil pan....

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Some marine pans are cast aluminum. They cost several times more than the stamped steel variety, but they are forever.

 

[etracer68]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

I would check the clearance of the oil pick-up to bottom of pan too. It shouldnt be no closer then 1/4", and no more then 3/8". If your old dip stick is in the pan, you should be able to cut it off the old pan, and have it welded to the new one. I have seen cast alum pans and cast steel pans on older 60s too. Im sure others will add, just my .0002.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

We. A bunch of old race boaters, never have pan problems. Even when cut apart & added baffels are brazed in or made into deeper or more shallow pans for a dry sump engine.

If you weld ?? Now you are at risk of having rust outs along the weld lines. Just to many variables to control at those high heats to prevent leaks. Wrong rod & flux for what you are welding causes chemical changes to the metal.

Biggest problems are ALWAYS stiff, thin gaskets. We coat both sides of a thick rubbery gasket. I also wire wheel ALL the bolt threads & rinse in Acetone to remore oils. Then lightcoat the threads with RTV by GE. Never a drop leaks. We DO NOT EVER cause the bolts to deform around the bolt holes. If a new person does, we redo it correctly. That means pull the pan & flatten the holes area.
Thick in our case, is a 1/16" thick OPEN CELLED gasket, that compresses to about .010".

Rich

 

[achris]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Some marine pans are cast aluminum. They cost several times more than the stamped steel variety, but they are forever.

Not really... I am replacing a cast ali pan. The reason is because GM had a faulty mold and my pan has a high section at the front that breaks the timing cover!!! Merc know this is an issue with some 2006 engines but are refusing to honour any guarantee. I guess it means the sale of lots of $350 timing covers and $730 sumps! Not to mention that the dealers want $2,000 (in labour alone) to do the job!

Chris.........
(on-line GM parts shops sell the covers for $39 and the sumps for $149)

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Since cars spend very little time at WOT compared to a boat. I have found that the boats have larger capacity oilpans.
Car oilpans have road speed airflow all around the pan. Boats, no air flow with rpm changes. That is why the boat dipsticks are so long and whippy. My stock 5.0 L is about + 30 " long & WILL short out on live + post of the alternator if I am not very carefull.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

It seems LOADS of all types of companies are refusing to allow any warrenty coverage.

The Great Depression is still going strong.

Fewer people using boats each year. Means higher prices for anything.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Since cars spend very little time at WOT compared to a boat. I have found that the boats have larger capacity oilpans.

?????? it's the same 4.5 to 5 quarts of oil as the automotive side used

Car oilpans have road speed airflow all around the pan. Boats, no air flow with rpm changes. That is why the boat dipsticks are so long and whippy.

Do you make this stuff up as you go? The reason the dipsticks are so long is because the tube goes to the bottom of the pan from the front of the engine, not air flow around the engine ...........

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Don

You are correct.
I have been doing so many 6 quart 305 & 350 pans in the Vintage engines classes that they all seemed larger than the modern 4 1/2 oil pans. That 6 quart of a 1977-1988 305 CI & the 6 quart 1975-1993 350 CI are standards in the boats.
I had asked a mechanic if they were special pans & he said, no, they are stock Chevies. I believed him to this day.

I am posting a hopefully accurate Mercruiser oil pan chart. Right edge of dashes is the more modern at 4 1/2 qt.
The more left dashes are a little older oil pan capacities.

Rich

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Blujay

If you can find & buy a 1975 - 1993 6 quart oil pan for a 350 you should be O K.

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Don

I reread the post you corrected.

I have always had a problem at times writting down my thoughts as I have thought of them before writting them down.

Many times I have be asked. " Are you sure that is what you mean Rich ? " A correction of what I said is then in order.

Glad there are people yanking my chain when I say something stupid or wrong.

 

[Blujay96]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Thanks for all the info guys.

 

[300sflyer]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Due to Merc trying to rip me off to the tune of $730, I bought a new oil pan from an on-line GM parts supplier. It arrived to my door (USA to Australia) for under $150. The pan in EXACTLY the same, including the windage tray. Just needed a coat of shiny black paint and it's now my new 'Quicksliver' oil pan....

I feel for you... Prices for Merc parts here in Canada, are as much as 3 times the price they are in the USA... Exact same part numbers. Somebody is making a lot of extra $$$!

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Baffle is sometimes referred to as "windage tray".

Maybe, but that's not entirely accurate. A true windage tray is a different item, designed to do a different job and is not part of the oil pan, even though it does end up inside it. The ones I'm used to actually would bolt to the same bolts that hold the main caps in and also to the bolt for the oil pump.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Yes, but you will see the terms used interchangably. Even when looking in parts catalogs. Wasn't saying you were wrong, just stating a small point.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Mercruiser oil pan

Yes, but you will see the terms used interchangably. Even when looking in parts catalogs. Wasn't saying you were wrong, just stating a small point.

No sweat...