7.4L Mercruiser Hasn't Been Started In 1 1/2 Years. Prelube prior to starting?

[Greg_E]

I'm in the process of purchasing a boat. I was thinking that because the engine has been sitting that it might be a good idea to prelube the engine prior to starting it. Is this necessary? The owner who is not mechanically inclined is not comfortable with having me assist him in removing the distributor so we can use the special tool and a drill to spin the oil pump. Is there a less invasive method I can use? I was thinking if we removed the inlet to the remote oil filter we could use use an oil change pump to to get some oil flowing through the engine. We would then have to drain any excess oil from the pan prior to starting.

 

[Alumarine]

Here's a link to mercruiser service bulletin 91-13 which shows an alternate method for priming.
It's geared towards new or rebuilt motors but will work fine for your application.
www.boatfix.com/merc/bullet/91/91_13.pdf

 

[Greg_E]

Thanks for the reply. If it was my boat, that is what I would do. The current owner is not comfortable with removing the distributor even with my help. I'm kind of between a rock and a hard place. He doesn't want to remove the distributor to prelube the engine fearing something will get screwed up, and I an concerned that if it is dry started it could damage the crank bearings. Until it's my boat I don't have much say in the matter. That is why I was looking for a simpler way to prelub the engine that would be acceptable to him.

 

[Alumarine]

Those instructions explain how to prime it without removing the distributor.

 

[Greg_E]

Sorry. I got to step three where it said to remove the distributor and did not see the other method further down the page.
If you ask me that sounds like more work but if that's what he wants to do I guess that's what I'll have to do.
Thank you.

 

[Lou C]

When I did my top end overhaul last year, what I did was disable the ignition and turn on the ignition switch so I could watch the oil pressure gauge. I cranked the engine over about 10 sec each time till I saw pressure on the gauge and fired it up. Started fine and no odd noises. Unless you 've R+R'd a Chevy distributor before, it can be a bit tricky to get it right the first time.

If the owner did not fog the engine when he stored it, I'd do the alt procedure but also spray fogging oil in the cyls, this will provide some lubrication for the cyl walls and piston rings before it starts. Also removing the plugs can tip you off to other problems, like water in the engine, due to a defective exhaust or blown head gasket. You'd see rust on the plug electrodes and an orange color on the center porcelain insulator.

Either way he may find something to object to, he may not want you to pull the distributor, or the plugs for fear of something going wrong.

 

[Greg_E]

Maybe I'll try your method. Pulling the plugs doesn't look like the easiest task on this boat. I would hate to crack a plug or damage a spark plug wire and then the boat isn't running right for the sea trial.