oilpan change without pulling 350?

SUNB15

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jun 3, 2004
Messages
36
Im reposting here from searay subforum:

So i just found out my recently acquired 1990 searay 220 DA, Merc 350 5.7L 8 cyl (260hp?) thunderbolt i/o with SE106 outdrive has swiss cheese for an oil pan (probably original part), or so im being told, not to mention a $2300 replacement cost. Had the alarm going off first time she was out a few weeks ago and gauge going over 220 but then it stabilized around 150 for the time i kept running it in the water (not long). So they tell me the engine and outdrive needs to come out just to change the pan but i dont even know what shape the engine is in, looks like original too 800 hrs? might not be worth it to put back in, when i got her 'as is' there was almost no oil put a gallon in im hoping it just dripped out and wasnt ran that way; when we took her out first time after topping off all fluids alarm went off and she stalled (thats after mechanic did a tuneup and said all is ok but that was on land), took a couple times to start back up every time. So i noticed oil in the bilge but also colors behind the outdrive in water, they tell me its definitely the pan and 16-20 hrs labor for pulling motor at cost mentioned. Even when the alarm buzzer stayed off there was a lot of vibration and loss of power at higher rpms i dont think she really ever went on plane although im not used to this size its so big it feels like youre barely moving (oh yeah speedo was broken at that time)

Has anyone ever fixed an oil pan or replaced without lifting engine on this model? It seems like theres a little room under motor to get your hand in if the bolts were right there it might be possible? Didnt have a close look yet boats not here. I heard also about using JB weld etc anyone try that? The thing that confuses me is the colors in the water behind boat either it was just gear case lube? from when i changed it or theres another leak, but i read oil could be leaking from some kind of seal between engine and outdrive and going out of boat and the oil pan may not be at fault. If i could do the oil pan myself i might be able to save thousands by leaving the old engine in till the whole thing dies a few years from now not getting it pulled out and put back in when there might be other issues. Any suggestions on the oil pan issue? I'll do anything to get to enjoy her for a while this season

id really appreciate it if anyone who changed the pan on one of these replied, whether you tried without pulling it and couldnt or whether it was possible. it looks like theres some room under the engine but i dont know how far down the pan would have to come down to detach and put back on. i was thinking of finding the leak with a mirror and trying something like jb weld if its one hole not the entire pan falling apart at least to get thru the season and look for a rebuild in the spring maybe but i was told ill blow up the engine if i run it and keep adding oil every day...does that make sense if oil pressure stays relatively constant? or does the loss of power with a lot of acceleration mean there is a huge hole? couldnt really tell with water and oil mixed in bilge. one more thing, hey told me outdrive has to come out hence the 20 hrs of labor, is that the case? or is there a way for me to just loosen the engine mounts and lift it/tilt it a little to get access? anotherwords is there an inflexible connection to outdrive or would there be some room to move it around?
 

bruceb58

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
30,537
Re: oilpan change without pulling 350?

I did it once...never again. Too hard to get the seals at the rear of the pan on right. Also, that oil pump sticks down farther than you would think!

The outdrive has to come off any way you do it since you would need to jack up the engine anyway. Since you just bought this boat, it would be a good idea to pull the drive anyway to inspect the u-joints and the gimbal bearing.

Doesn't take much to rust an oil pan. A nick in the paint and some salt water will do the trick mighty fast. The fact that there was salt water in there may also make you want to look at the starter when you have the engine out.
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: oilpan change without pulling 350?

hey told me outdrive has to come out hence the 20 hrs of labor, is that the case?

It takes about 5 minutes to remove the drive, and 10 to put it back on. They are easy to do.
If the pan is rusted out, it has to be replaced, and I would really look at the timing chain cover too. If it's all rusty, it will be the next thing to go, and you have to pull the pan to replace it.
Everyone of these I have ever deal with probably has rusty motor mounts, bad mounts in the flywheel cover, be sure to inspect the splines in the coupler while the engine is out, and spend some time in the bilge cleaning and painting and fixing wiring and everything else that has gone bad in there.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,291
Re: oilpan change without pulling 350?

IF the rear bolts come out easily and the lags for the front mounts do the same, throttle cable, harness plug, fuel line,battery cable, bonding wires
(might have missed some things) motor shoud be out in under 2 hrs.
but like the other posts, timing cover, rear mounts, starter,starter bolts, loosening the nuts on the front mount to do the realignment all need to be checked/cleaned/replaced.
once the pan`s installed, put about 5 coats of paint on it.
 

lime4x4

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
1,040
Re: oilpan change without pulling 350?

I replaced the engine in my 86 searay 268 weekender 5.7 liter. Took me 30 min to have the engine ready to be pulled out. If u have the right tools and equipment u should be able to get it done in a few hours.I'm lucky i have access to a backhoe so that helped greatly
 
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