Oil level too high?

[DS_G]

My 6.2 MPI (# 1A079680) had a badly rusting oil pan due to salt exposure. I found a nice 350 aluminum pan that fit perfectly. To install this required the removal and replacement of the Dipstick tube. Since that time, after training the oil using the bottom of sump drain tube and replacing the recommended 5 1/2 quarts, the dipstick reads 1 qt high. Assuming that the dipstick is more accurate than the pan, I removed 1 qt. My question is whether the dipstick tube might be mis-aligned and causing this issue, or just the new pan is smaller and I should just run with 4 1/2 qts?
Thx!!

 

[matt167]

GM goodwrench 350 crate engines were listed at 4.5 quarts for a while so there is a possibility that it’s a 4.5qt pan.

 

[Fun Times]

OIL CAPACITY CHART
Starting Year, Engine Serial Number, Oil Capacity:
2002 3.0L Sterndrive 0M300000 and above 3.8 liters (4 US qt.)
2002 4.3L and 4.3L MPI Sterndrive 0M300000 and above 3.8 liters (4 US qt.)
2002 5.0L and 5.0L MPI Sterndrive 0M300000 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2002 5.7L and 350 Mag Sterndrive 0M300000 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2002 6.2L MPI Sterndrive 0M300000 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2001 496 Mag and HO Sterndrive 0M025000 and above 8.5 liters (9 US qt.)
2002 5.7L and 350 Mag Inboard and Ski 0M300000 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2002 6.2L Inboard 0M300000 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2003 Black Scorpion Ski 0M391600 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2001 8.1 Horizon and HO Inboard 0M026000 and above 8.5 liters (9 US qt.)
This bulletin supersedes previously published oil capacity information.

350 MAG MPI ALPHA/BRAVO - 0W650000 THRU 1A299999

350 MAG MPI ALPHA/BRAVO - 0W650000 THRU 1A299999

www.mercruiserparts.com

MerCruiser Service Bulletin No. 2006-06.

 

[Scott Danforth]

All SBC oil pans for a 1-piece RMS will fit. However that could be anywhere between 4 and 16 quarts.

What part number did you pull off, and what part number did you install?

Just because it fit may not make it the correct pan for the application

 

[DS_G]

All SBC oil pans for a 1-piece RMS will fit. However that could be anywhere between 4 and 16 quarts.

What part number did you pull off, and what part number did you install?

Just because it fit may not make it the correct pan for the application

Thanks! I used an aftermarket SB aluminum pan due to chronic salt exposure. It looked about the same as the old pan, but could easily be a quart different. So my question is whether to rely on the dipstick vs actual oil used.

 

[DS_G]

OIL CAPACITY CHART
Starting Year, Engine Serial Number, Oil Capacity:
2002 3.0L Sterndrive 0M300000 and above 3.8 liters (4 US qt.)
2002 4.3L and 4.3L MPI Sterndrive 0M300000 and above 3.8 liters (4 US qt.)
2002 5.0L and 5.0L MPI Sterndrive 0M300000 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2002 5.7L and 350 Mag Sterndrive 0M300000 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2002 6.2L MPI Sterndrive 0M300000 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2001 496 Mag and HO Sterndrive 0M025000 and above 8.5 liters (9 US qt.)
2002 5.7L and 350 Mag Inboard and Ski 0M300000 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2002 6.2L Inboard 0M300000 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2003 Black Scorpion Ski 0M391600 and above 4.25 liters (4.5 US qt.)
2001 8.1 Horizon and HO Inboard 0M026000 and above 8.5 liters (9 US qt.)
This bulletin supersedes previously published oil capacity information.

350 MAG MPI ALPHA/BRAVO - 0W650000 THRU 1A299999

350 MAG MPI ALPHA/BRAVO - 0W650000 THRU 1A299999

www.mercruiserparts.com

MerCruiser Service Bulletin No. 2006-06.

Thanks!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

oil level on an SBC should be 3.5" below the pan rail

 

[Scott06]

Thanks! I used an aftermarket SB aluminum pan due to chronic salt exposure. It looked about the same as the old pan, but could easily be a quart different. So my question is whether to rely on the dipstick vs actual oil used.

When mixing and matching put the correct amount of oil in and mark the dipstick with a hacksaw. Since you dont know what the correct amount is since you dont know what capacity the non-stock pan is use Scotts recommendation of 3.5" below the rail.

Would seem based on what you saw that you replaced a 5.5 qt pan with a 4.5 qt pan...

 

[cyclops222]

Scott Danforth is the correct way to fill the pan and mark the dip stick. Support the pan out of the boat. Get it level with a carpenter level across the top of the pan. long way and side way. Measure 3.5 " down on the inside surface of the pan. Put a scratch line that you can easily see with oil on it.
Start putting in quarts of oil. COUNT THEM to the FULL scratch line. Then scoop out 1 quart and scratch another new lower line.
Now put the dip stick fully into the holder. We cut a piece of wood to be the 3.5" width. Held that on the bottom of the engine surface. Marked the dipstick with a small file edge. Cut another piece of wood for the 1 quart lower line on the dip stick.
Oil level is critical to prevent too much splashing and foaming of the oil.
Can I post anything with 10 words or less.

 

[cyclops222]

DO DRAIN out the oil in the pan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Before moving it at all !!!!!!!!!

 

[DS_G]

Scott Danforth is the correct way to fill the pan and mark the dip stick. Support the pan out of the boat. Get it level with a carpenter level across the top of the pan. long way and side way. Measure 3.5 " down on the inside surface of the pan. Put a scratch line that you can easily see with oil on it.
Start putting in quarts of oil. COUNT THEM to the FULL scratch line. Then scoop out 1 quart and scratch another new lower line.
Now put the dip stick fully into the holder. We cut a piece of wood to be the 3.5" width. Held that on the bottom of the engine surface. Marked the dipstick with a small file edge. Cut another piece of wood for the 1 quart lower line on the dip stick.
Oil level is critical to prevent too much splashing and foaming of the oil.
Can I post anything with 10 words or less.

Thanks. Pulling the engine and oil pan is a major and expensive alternative (it lives on a lift, no trailer etc). I understand that a blown engine would require this, obviously.

As long as the dipstick tube hasn’t changed location, then it would seem that the height of the measured oil level relative to the block would be accurate, regardless of the amount of oil in the pan? If I keep the oil level at the upper dipstick mark, it should be low enough to avoid foaming and high enough to prevent sucking air, correct? Thx again.

 

[cyclops222]

The full line should be correct and unchanged.......If the dip stick and tube are the correct ones.