Replace oil pumps in boat.....

[ohiohatteras]

My 1976 36c has the original Marine Power 454 gas engines. My oil pressure has been slowly dropping over the years. Since my Cat 3208 diesel swap got nixed.....thinking about replacing the oil pumps and suck some more life out of the motors!. Anybody know if it can be done with the engines remaining in the boat? I'm thinking if I take off the 2 front or 2 side mounts I could jack the engine up enough to pull the oil pan?????

Looking for any and all $.02...
Thx

 

[86Hat41]

Replacing the oil pumps probably won’t do anything to improve the oil pressure.
The only thing that is fairly common is there being a bit of sludge built up on the pick up tube screen.
Low oil pressure is due to engine wear, meaning space between the bearings, cam, crank etc..
As long as you have some oil pressure and it’s not knocking or smoking, just leave it. Be sure to check your pressure’s with a mechanical gauge. If you have 25psi or more at cruise and anything at all at idle, you’ll be o.k. for a while.
My 2 cents is to use straight 40 weight and a bottle of lucas engine oil additive to obtain maximum engine life. Other than that, repower it with the “Captains Choice” 502’s if diesels aren’t in the cards

 

[Beckytek]

Before you spend a lot of money, check the oil pressure sender first. I had low oil pressure and that's all it was.

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Personally, Id pull the trans, get the engine on deck upside down on a piece of plywood and put a set of bearings and pump in it ... that is if youre sure the top end is still good as well. You can also try 70w penzoil aircraft oil as well... ws

 

[ohiohatteras]

Update: Got both the mechanical oil pressure gauges installed last Friday. Went with Autometer. T'd them off the oil alarm port. Dropped the boat in water last Saturday.

At idle.....have 40psi showing on the mechanicals and 18psi showing on the electrics running 20w50 Valvoline Maxlife. Gonna replace the senders next!

What a relief!!!!