Oil Pan

[jakwi]

Hi all, I have a Mercruiser repower, 357 alpha 4v. My oil pan needs replacing and I'm seriously considering one of the aluminum oil pans you see on amazon, but I'm not exactly sure which year of SBC would be equivalent to my engine block. I think it would be 86-2002 with a one piece rear main, but I wanted to confirm.

MerCruiser 357 Alpha 4V Oil Pan & Oil Pump Parts

MerCruiser 357 alpha 4v oil pan and oil pump parts. Buy a genuine Mercury Quicksilver or aftermarket part.

www.marineengine.com

So my two questions are: is this the correct year range to look for, and is there any reason I shouldn't go with the aluminum pan?
If the answer to aluminum is that it's a bad idea, then what about a generic metal pan for a chevy vs the Quicksilver version at four times the price. Generally I'll go the OEM route where it counts, but it seems most likely that the oem pan is just a rebranded chevy pan.

Thoughts?

 

[Scott06]

Hi all, I have a Mercruiser repower, 357 alpha 4v. My oil pan needs replacing and I'm seriously considering one of the aluminum oil pans you see on amazon, but I'm not exactly sure which year of SBC would be equivalent to my engine block. I think it would be 86-2002 with a one piece rear main, but I wanted to confirm.

MerCruiser 357 Alpha 4V Oil Pan & Oil Pump Parts

MerCruiser 357 alpha 4v oil pan and oil pump parts. Buy a genuine Mercury Quicksilver or aftermarket part.

www.marineengine.com

So my two questions are: is this the correct year range to look for, and is there any reason I shouldn't go with the aluminum pan?
If the answer to aluminum is that it's a bad idea, then what about a generic metal pan for a chevy vs the Quicksilver version at four times the price. Generally I'll go the OEM route where it counts, but it seems most likely that the oem pan is just a rebranded chevy pan.

Thoughts?

It is a GM pan but I think the marine ones have baffling to control oil sloshing. @Scott Danforth may know the GM part number which is the best way to order it.

I would get the GM part prime it really well and coat it with bed liner or rhino liner I think that is what folks do to cut down on corrosion of the steel

 

[jakwi]

Cool, hopefully scott will jump in. The pictures I've seen of the OEM part on line, mercruiser 8M0150300, don't show any baffling. It really looks like a simple stamped pan.

Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

some marine oil pans had a small baffle around the pickup and a windiage tray in the late 80's

later ones just had the windiage tray

I wouldnt use an aluminum oil pan unless you really coat it well. especially in salt water. it will corrode

the pan also changed over the years. what year is your reman'd mercruiser. do you have a block casting number?

GM part number for the oil pan in mid 90's is 10242246
used one on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/144463301861

Best way to order the oil pan is an industrial GM dealer.

 

[jakwi]

Hi Scott, thanks for the help. I'm not sure if this is the casting number, but it was on a tag on the engine.

P/N 865103R88
S/N1G401632

If that isn't it can you tell me where it could be found and I'll look for it?

Thanks, oh and as far as the aluminum, do you think it would corrode faster than the metal pan? Mine was new about 10 years ago, and now it's full of pin holes. We boat mostly in brackish water.

 

[kenny nunez]

If the timing cover is also plain metal now is the time to also replace it. It was never painted in areas under the balancer.

 

[jakwi]

agreed that is on my list of things to check once I pull the engine.

 

[stresspoint]

choose the correct alloy sump for your motor , some are already powder coated .
AM windage trays that bolt in can be bought for cheap these days.(don't run a boat motor without one)
look on the hot rod parts sites.

personally i would just get a steel replacement and give it a good coating.
from a cost prospective this is the best option unless you want bling .

 

[jakwi]

choose the correct alloy sump for your motor , some are already powder coated .
AM windage trays that bolt in can be bought for cheap these days.(don't run a boat motor without one)
look on the hot rod parts sites.

personally i would just get a steel replacement and give it a good coating.
from a cost prospective this is the best option unless you want bling .

No doubt, It's not about bling actually it's mostly because I'm not impressed with the oem pan. Pulling the motor just to change the pan is beyond annoying. so I'd like to upgrade in the best way possible to avoid this fate in the future. To bad they don't make a stainless pan.

 

[stresspoint]

No doubt, It's not about bling actually it's mostly because I'm not impressed with the oem pan. Pulling the motor just to change the pan is beyond annoying. so I'd like to upgrade in the best way possible to avoid this fate in the future. To bad they don't make a stainless pan.

there is no telling how long a powder coated alloy sump will last in your boating conditions .
the better name brand alloy sumps are expensive and will probably last as long as a cheaper one in a marine environment, so dont get caught in that trap.
go for the pre powder coated ones and recoat / coat over with some stone guard spray , that should get you a few more years if you look after it ( no chipping ).

also , in regards to a windage tray , don't go too cheap , they will crack around the mountings and make an annoying rattle as they are known to do in 4wd conversions , most are made for street use ,not marine , so choose wisely.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hi Scott, thanks for the help. I'm not sure if this is the casting number, but it was on a tag on the engine.

P/N 865103R88
S/N1G401632

If that isn't it can you tell me where it could be found and I'll look for it?

Thanks, oh and as far as the aluminum, do you think it would corrode faster than the metal pan? Mine was new about 10 years ago, and now it's full of pin holes. We boat mostly in brackish water.

Not the GM casting numbers

 

[Scott06]

Thanks, oh and as far as the aluminum, do you think it would corrode faster than the metal pan? Mine was new about 10 years ago, and now it's full of pin holes. We boat mostly in brackish water.

If you paint and coat the new one you wont have the issue again. Issue is the pan has a weak paint on it.

 

[Lou C]

I have the original tin pan on mine, it is still in good shape because I sprayed it with corrosion x or boeshield every other season, boat has been on a salt water mooring for 20 seasons. You can make the steel pans last, just scuff the original paint, brush on 2 coats of rustoleum primer followed by 2 coats of rustoleum paint, also brushed on. Brushed on coats are much thicker than spray and will protected better. Follow up with the corrosion X .....

 

[Lou C]

Hi Scott, thanks for the help. I'm not sure if this is the casting number, but it was on a tag on the engine.

P/N 865103R88
S/N1G401632

If that isn't it can you tell me where it could be found and I'll look for it?

Thanks, oh and as far as the aluminum, do you think it would corrode faster than the metal pan? Mine was new about 10 years ago, and now it's full of pin holes. We boat mostly in brackish water.

those are probably mecrusier #s, the GM casting # which is what you need is usually in the area where the bellhousing bolts on to the block, look on both sides, there is also a serial number stamped on the block right were the starboard side head is bolted on in the front. This is a 4.3 your casting number might be on the other side....

 

[kenny nunez]

After painting the pan and timing covers and mounting them I also coated them with 3M under body spray.
The very first Mercruiser V8s had brass oil pans.

 

[jakwi]

Ok, I'll look for it, not sure if it's possible to see before I actually pull the motor. thanks for the guidance.

 

[jakwi]

some marine oil pans had a small baffle around the pickup and a windiage tray in the late 80's

later ones just had the windiage tray

I wouldnt use an aluminum oil pan unless you really coat it well. especially in salt water. it will corrode

the pan also changed over the years. what year is your reman'd mercruiser. do you have a block casting number?

GM part number for the oil pan in mid 90's is 10242246
used one on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/144463301861

Best way to order the oil pan is an industrial GM dealer.

I missed the year comment in your comment. My reman was installed in 2007, my guess is that it is a 2005 or 6.

Also is the Mercruiser 27-138651 oil pan gasket or the Sierra 18-1237 the better option, or should I look for the GM option?
thanks.