Oil for 1981 228MerCruiser

79Merc80

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 22, 2007
Messages
673
Hey guys. It's that time of year and I need to know what type of oil (Weight) to put in my engine. 1091 MerCruiser 228hp (305cid / 5.0L) Also the oil filter #.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Craig
 

alldodge

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Staff member
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Mar 8, 2009
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42,540
Re: Oil for 1981 228MerCruiser

Hey guys. It's that time of year and I need to know what type of oil (Weight) to put in my engine. 1091 MerCruiser 228hp (305cid / 5.0L) Also the oil filter #.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Craig

Merc manual says to use Merc 4-cycle oil but if unavailable use a straight weight based on temperature. For normal operation during my normal season (non-jacket weather) is I use straight 40W.

Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 9 - 1985-1988 - GM V8 Engines

Filter numbers are
MerCruiser #'s 14957, 35-802885T & 35-866340Q03

Wix # 51061

Mallory # 9-57801

Sierra #18-7824
 

Fishermark

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Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,617
Re: Oil for 1981 228MerCruiser

It is interesting, Mercruiser used to be against all multi viscosity oils, but they have changed their recommendations and are now recommending the following: (They still want the only multi viscosity oils they recommend are their own)

For optimum engine performance and maximum protection, use the following oil:
Application Recommended Oil
All MerCruiser engines Mercury MerCruiser Full-Synthetic Engine Oil, 20W-40, NMMC FC-W rated

IMPORTANT: Lubrication requirements for catalyzed engines differ from the requirements for non-catalyzed engines. Some marine-grade lubricants contain high levels of phosphorus, which can damage the catalyst system on MerCruiser engines. Although these high-phosphorus lubricants may allow acceptable engine performance, exposure over time will damage the catalyst. Catalysts damaged by lubricants containing high levels of phosphorus may not be covered by the MerCruiser Limited Warranty.

If Mercury MerCruiser Full-Synthetic, 20W-40 oils is unavailable, use the following lubricants, listed in order of recommendation. If you are servicing a catalyst engine, use these for short periods of time only.

Mercury/Quicksilver 25W-40 Synthetic Blend, NMMA FC-W-rated 4-cycle MerCruiser oil
Mercury/Quicksilver 25W-40, NMMA FC-W-rated 4-cycle MerCruiser oil
Other recognized brands of NMMA FC-W-rated 4-cycle oils
A good-grade, straight-weight detergent automotive oil according to the last row of the operating chart below.

NOTE: We do not recommend non-detergent oils, multi-viscosity oils (other than as specified), non-FC-W-rated synthetic oils, low-quality oils, or oils that contain solid additives.

This crankcase oil recommendation supersedes all previously printed crankcase oil recommendations for MerCruiser gasoline engines. The reason for this change is to include the newer engine oils that are now available in the recommendation.
 

79Merc80

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 22, 2007
Messages
673
Re: Oil for 1981 228MerCruiser

Thanks for the help. I really appreciate the information.

Craig
 
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