New GM 5.7L shows full with 4 quarts of oil

[kbeckman]

I had a new engine installed, which is a new GM factory built crate engine last fall. At 10 hours I went to change the oil, but only 4 quarts came out. The dipstick had shown as full before I removed it.

The original engine was a 1996 5.7L Mercruiser (pre Vortex). The new engine has a stamp code showing it is a Vortex block, but it has pre-vortex (12 bolt, 87 to 96) heads and a mechanical fuel pump.

The engine is fairly level, and I let it sit overnight. The dipstick tube is the original one, which came off the old engine, and is full inserted into the block. The dipstick is a GM 15297, which shows as the correct dipstick for a 350.

I am feeling some resistance when I insert the dipstick at the last 4 inches or so.

Engine runs great, and I can see no changes in the oil pressure when I am running like it might be low on oil.

Manufacturer has no idea, and the installer can not recall any problem when the dipstick tube was move from the old engine over to the new one.

The only thing I can think of is the dipstick tube is damaged somehow, and there is a quart still sitting in the pan when I sucked it out.

Anyone else ever encountered anything like this?

 

[Bt Doctur]

with a 4 Qt oil pan that's all your going to get, the oil filter and lines can take up to a quart and they don't drain into the pan
If you have 12 bolts for the intake ,you have a pre-vortec heads bolted to a vortec engine.

 

[bruceb58]

If you really want to be sure you are getting all the oil out(I actually think you are) get one of the drain kits with the hose that attaches to your drain plug. You can either use it to drain by gravity or use a pump that connects to that to pump it out.

 

[Rick Stephens]

You can also just pull the plug with a small drain pain underneath to make certain you got it all out after using your vacuum oil suction.

Not much in the way of hazards of putting the amount of oil in that is spec'd and remarking the dipstick. No problem as long as you are within a reasonable range.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... I'm with BD, that sounds 'bout right,....

 

[kbeckman]

I can't get to the bottom of the pan to get at the plug, so that's out.

With the previous engine, I could get 5+ quarts out of it. I know this because it was more than my Tempo vacuum could hold.

I have never heard of a 4 quart oil pan on a GM 5.7L (350).

 

[Bt Doctur]

manual lists it as 5.5 With the filter , so if you expect the filter to hold a qt. then 4.5 in the crankcase
for the I/O`s ,same pan as the car 5.7 . 4 qts plus the oil filter

 

[Fun Times]

I had a new engine installed, which is a new GM factory built crate engine last fall.
The original engine was a 1996 5.7L Mercruiser (pre Vortex). The new engine has a stamp code showing it is a Vortex block, but it has pre-vortex (12 bolt, 87 to 96) heads and a mechanical fuel pump.

With the previous engine, I could get 5+ quarts out of it. I have never heard of a 4 quart oil pan on a GM 5.7L (350).

Your previous engine was designed to hold 5 1/2 quarts but starting in 2002, the oil capacity changed in most of the engine models.....Since you bought a new lower engine block that came with a new oil pan, your oil quantity would have changed.

Here's your 2 confidence builders for you,
Service Bulletin - Marine Mechanic
https://www.perfprotech.com/blog/articles/oil-lube-capacity

Since you're using the original dip stick tube, does the inner oil dip stick sit all the way down before hitting the bottom of the oil pan?

Not sure if there's two different designs of sticks between the newer and later engine models but it might be worth checking. Have your engine serial number/s handy by chance?

 

[kbeckman]

Original engine was 0F606xxx, so 5 1/2 Quarts. New engine is a crate motor casting number 10243880.

 

[Fun Times]

Original engine was 0F606xxx, so 5 1/2 Quarts.

Here's your original dip stick part numbers, http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...inbr=1939&bnbr=210&bdesc=OIL+PAN+AND+OIL+PUMP

Here's the original sticks measuring specs for you, http://www.boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser17.html#/232

New engine is a crate motor casting number 10243880.

Or if I got this correct, you should now have a 1995-2000 ZZ4 crate engine from GM.
If so desired, you could try ordering a tube and stick for the ZZ4 engine model using the info below.
http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-7403.html
The oil parts list below is from the following link: http://www.crateenginedepot.com/pdfs/SB_zzengine.pdf As it's a link to a Pdf that has all the part numbers for the zz engines that you may need someday for a reference point.
Service #,
12528916 PAN, OIL KIT W/ BAFFLE (5QT)
12551154 TUBE, OIL INDICATOR
12551144 INDICATOR, OIL
9439930 BOLT, INDICATOR TUBE (1/4-20 X ..56")
6438261 FILTER, OIL (PF25)
5614210 PLUG, SPARK (MR43LTS)

10243880

1995-00

350

2/4

Gen.I crate motors and "ZZ4", roller cam, one piece rear seal

 

[kbeckman]

No Title

This is a Marine Long Block, not an auto. The casting numbers for the block appear to be the same. I spoke to the dealer, and this is exactly how they get the engine from the GM Marine division. I happened to have a photo that shows the dipstick when I was priming the oil pump. The dipstick is a GM 15297, and the tube is assumed to be a GM 15296, but I can not see any numbers on it, which are correct for a 1996 5.7L Mercruiser.

Can get the tube out, without removing the exhaust manifolds?

The GM 1255114 tube appears to be for a car, and sticks out the side of the engine, rather than route to the front. I have been looking for the part number of the 2002-2009 5.7L, and I have found photos online of 5.7L's with a different dipstick tube, but have not found the part number yet..

 

[bruceb58]

Your dipstick tube looks correct for your engine then if that is how it was delivered..

Out of curiosity how did you pump out the oil? Did you use a pump that threaded onto that fitting on the dipstick tube?

It's kind of interesting that newer Merc engines that have that fitting on the dipstick tube still also come with the drain hose screwed into the bottom of the pan.

 

[kbeckman]

No Title

The Long Block didn't come with that Dipstick Tube or Dipstick, that is off the old engine. The Long Block came with the block, heads, oil pan and timing covers. Everything else came off the old engine. We are trying to figure out if I have the right dipstick or not. In 2002 GM changed the oil pan to 4 quarts, as the spec in the document "Fun Times" provided shows 4.5 Quarts for a 2002 - 2009 MCM 5.7L. I would assume 4 quarts, plus 1/2 of one for the filter. I found the Manual for the 2002+, and pulled this dipstick spec out of it, although it does not show the tube number. The pic is attached.

There is no drain tube, that is a cable on the floor. Also, I didn't get the engine from Mercruiser. They only sell remanufactured engines, and at the time I could get a new one from GM for $2700.

I have a Tempo Vacuum pump that fits onto that fitting. I recall it was a little expensive, but it sure is nice. Just a couple pumps of the handle, and all the oil comes out. I only wish I had gotten the bigger one, as the one I have is only 4 Quarts. My old engine, would fill it up, and I would have to dump out some, and vacuum some more.

 

[bruceb58]

I am sure your pump also comes with the straw that fits down the dipstick tube. I would try that as a test to see if you can get anymore oil out.