Posts: 202
Location: Angola, IN | Scooter70,
You aren't butting in. Not one big. But don't be concerned about the advice that I gave.
Ask online, ask a boat mechanic who works on big boats, or ask someone who owns a bigger boat with inboard V8's....whether they be Chrysler 318's, GM's small block 350, or their big block 454 or 502....the oil of choice is either an HDEO diesel oil, or a straight 30 or 40 weight. All of which are diesel oils.
The marine oil that is most popular is usually labeled as 20w-40 or 25w-40. It's a joke. All the manufacturer does is mix straight 20 weight with straight 40 weight oil. That's not a 20w-40!!
Motorcycle oil used to be something special....it contained a ton of friction modifiers and anti-wear agents in it....components like moly, boron, zinc, phosphorus, etc., and most of them were group V oils, which are esters. But not so much anymore. What makes a "motorcycle oil" a "motorcycle oil" is that most bikes now have a shared oil sump.....the same oil that lubricates the engine also lubricates the transmission. So, you can't have too much moly and anti-friction compounds in the oil, or the clutch packs won't work (your oil can't be too slippery). If your bike doesn't have a shared sump, then you can use any oil you like....like Red Line or Motul.
Diesel oil now only contains a little more detergents in them that regular old passenger car oil. But it's enough to help keep your engine cleaner. This is why people who study oil (like me) really like diesel oils. They are sheer resistant (most passenger car oils will start out at 0w-40 when you pour it in, for example, but after a few hours running in a boat or a motorcycle, it quickly becomes a 30 weight oil. Diesel oils are sheer resistant. Which is another plus in a boat or motorcycle....both of which have engines that are oil shearing machines!!! A straight weight oil, like SAE30, these are super sheer resistant oils. But they offer little protection at start up because of their thickness at ambient temperatures...that is why typical marine oil, 20w-40 is just a mix of two straight oils. Yuck!!
I know it's a lot to digest, and it took me a little while to really become versed in all this information as well. You don't have to believe me, but if you ask around to some people who know their stuff, you'll see I'm right.
The bottom line....does any of this really matter? If your boat gonna blow up if you use lawn mower oil in your kick? No. Is your inboard 454's gonna wear out sooner if you use regular passenger car oil in it....perhaps. For me though, it's all about being informed and making the best possible decision when it comes to protecting my investments. |
