Outdrive Oil

lilbigman81

Cadet
Joined
May 29, 2012
Messages
8
Hey everyone,
I just picked up a 1986 Thundercraft with a Mercruiser I/O. I believe it is an Alpha 1 outdrive. What oil do I use for the outdrive. I just sold a '88 Four Winns with an OMC Cobra outdrive and that used a HI-vis oil. Can I use this in my Mercruiser or do I need to pick up something different? Thanks for your help. I don't want to be stuck out on the lake when I take it out.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Outdrive Oil

Mercruiser Hi Performance gear lube is what is recommended. You can use anything you want, I wouldn't.
 

cr2k

Captain
Joined
Mar 19, 2009
Messages
3,730
Re: Outdrive Oil

Use the same stuff. A good 75-140 gear lube. Best would be Sierra or Merc Synthetic blend.
 

joewithaboat

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 3, 2011
Messages
1,172
Re: Outdrive Oil

The Mercury or Quicksilver "High Performance" is what you want, same stuff different label. It doesn't mix with other lubes so keep some extra on board. Any Marine Dealer or even Walmart has it on hand. Good stuff, designed to continue to lube the drive even if contaminated with a little water.
There is also a "Premium" gear lube, not the same as "High Performance"
One of these two is what you want.

quick silver lube pic.jpgmercury lube pic.jpg
 

TullioAbbate33

Recruit
Joined
Aug 2, 2012
Messages
2
Re: Outdrive Oil

Hey everyone,
I just picked up a 1986 Thundercraft with a Mercruiser I/O. I believe it is an Alpha 1 outdrive. What oil do I use for the outdrive. I just sold a '88 Four Winns with an OMC Cobra outdrive and that used a HI-vis oil. Can I use this in my Mercruiser or do I need to pick up something different? Thanks for your help. I don't want to be stuck out on the lake when I take it out.

You can check out link with the - Synthetic Marine Gear Lube SAE 75W/80W-90 (AGM) -- I hope you like it. it the best synthetics oil - https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/agm.aspx
 

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: Outdrive Oil

Mobil 1 Synthetic...

Ask 100 people...you'll probably get 65 different answers!
 

TullioAbbate33

Recruit
Joined
Aug 2, 2012
Messages
2
Re: Outdrive Oil

WOW, a newbe joins the forum just to push an amsoil product. What a surprise :facepalm: :facepalm:

Dear Don, I not join the forum to advertising porpoise it is not my way and before said like this you have to know me personally. I join forum to get knowledge about boat and things related to it. I put some info about nice product any body can use an their boat. Also I not pushing any product and amsoil as well, I just send some opposite info about synthetics oil product, at my opinion it's the great oil for the application for the any staff. I use it my self and very happy. I think people have to have some different info about other product and make own choice. They can check it out get a knowledge and make they own decision what to buy - amsoil, or mobil, or something else. Check this link and read product description and kinetic chart so you can see about I talking.
 

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: Outdrive Oil

It's gear oil...and frequently CHANGED gear oil at that.

The ONLY reason I'm using Synth is because I've got gallons of it, otherwise I'd run dino. As with auto motor oil...synth has no preceptable advantage over dino, other than longevity...and THAT isn't an issue in a properly maintained/serviced outdrive. Yeah I'm sure there's "numbers"...but I doubt there's many failures in these units due STRICTLY to the oil itself.
 

joewithaboat

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 3, 2011
Messages
1,172
Re: Outdrive Oil

It's gear oil...and frequently CHANGED gear oil at that.

The ONLY reason I'm using Synth is because I've got gallons of it, otherwise I'd run dino. As with auto motor oil...synth has no preceptable advantage over dino, other than longevity...and THAT isn't an issue in a properly maintained/serviced outdrive. Yeah I'm sure there's "numbers"...but I doubt there's many failures in these units due STRICTLY to the oil itself.

In the cutting edge automotive or boating industry (HP factory, modified, or racing etc.) you wont find anyone using Dino lubricants.

Its NOT only longevity based! The protection of metal parts by synthetic lubricants far exceed dino.
 

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: Outdrive Oil

Hence the "preceptible"(capable of being perceived by the mind or senses)part...

Put dino into a car/boat/ATV/boat gear case...whatever...change it at it's OCI, run it for 100k/100hrs/etc...
Put Synth into an identical vehicle...again...change it at it's OCI, run IT for 100k

Assuming ALL is equal between the two...

Tell me the PRECEPTIBLE difference in drivablility/performance of the vehicle.

The ONLY PRECEPTIBLE(not measuring microns of bearing wear due in large part to cold start-ups)difference will be that you don't need to crawl under the car with synthetic as often.

Like I said...If your CHANGING the lube on schedule and MAINTAINING your drive properly...you'll NEVER PRECIEVE the difference because of the regularity in which the gear lube is cycled through.

How DID we ever get this far without it...
 

joewithaboat

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jul 3, 2011
Messages
1,172
Re: Outdrive Oil

Hence the "preceptible"(capable of being perceived by the mind or senses)part...

Put dino into a car/boat/ATV/boat gear case...whatever...change it at it's OCI, run it for 100k/100hrs/etc...
Put Synth into an identical vehicle...again...change it at it's OCI, run IT for 100k

Assuming ALL is equal between the two...

Tell me the PRECEPTIBLE difference in drivablility/performance of the vehicle.

The ONLY PRECEPTIBLE(not measuring microns of bearing wear due in large part to cold start-ups)difference will be that you don't need to crawl under the car with synthetic as often.

Like I said...If your CHANGING the lube on schedule and MAINTAINING your drive properly...you'll NEVER PRECIEVE the difference because of the regularity in which the gear lube is cycled through.

How DID we ever get this far without it...

I worked in a race oriented machine shop for a couple years. During this time the synthetic oil wave came through the racing industry. You could see, easily, a noticeable reduction in required maintenance and a lack of wear on all internal parts. You could also see an undeniable horse power gain while running back to back engine dyno runs. It is now the standard in the performance world wither it is a factory performance offering or a purpose built race car. Race engines made today will prematurely fail if dino oil were used.

I had specific knowledge of more than one race team who was sponsored by an oil company and got pallets of free oil. They bought another "better" synthetic brand and paid retail. They even went to the trouble to re-bottle it so they could be seen at the track supposedly using their sponsors oil.

There are many factory cars that will experience engine failure if filled with Dino oil. This is well known and been the case for some time now. My current daily driver is well known for engine troubles around 100k it has always had synthetic in it and currently has 167k. Many of these miles it was/is used to tow a boat that is at the recommended limit. The benefits of REAL SYNTHETIC oil are many and undeniable. If you continue to shut that out it is of course your choice. It doesn't bother me a bit. :D
 

Oshkosh1

Ensign
Joined
Jun 8, 2009
Messages
968
Re: Outdrive Oil

My current daily driver is well known for engine troubles around 100k it has always had synthetic in it and currently has 167k. :D

My former...now my daughters, "daily driver" is an 01 Subaru Outback with 212K driven under SEVERE Wisconsin conditons(-20 to 100deg startup temp) with dino. I periodically send my oil to Blackstone labs in Ohio for an analysis. Under their parameters there's nothing unusual about the amount of micro particualtes which would indicate abnormal wear of any bearing, ring, piston etc...

My Cessna also uses dino(Aeroshell W100+with regular analysis by BL)...After the whole Mobil AV-1 episode of the mid-90's...I'll stick to it.

I agree that under race conditions a synthetic would have discernable advantages over dino...but in my applications I just don't see it.

Oh...and if you have a list of the engines which are allergic to dino...let me know so I can avoid them!:D
 
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