King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

[davek711]

Hello, I'm new to this site and I have been looking for info on my OMC King Cobra 454 I/O. I dont have alot of experience with bigger boats and was wondering if someone could help me out with some questions I have. What motor oil is recommended for this engine and how many quarts does it take? Also, any particular filter I should use?

Next, while draining the block for this past winter I noticed a hose that seems to attach to the lower back end of the motor near where the starter is mounted. It's attached at one end and the other end just lays in the bilge. What is this hose for and is it supposed to be attached to something on both ends. Any info on either of these things would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

[sam60]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

I use 30W - 6 quarts if I remember correctly. You can look the filter up using the parts like on top of this page.

That hose, if the same as mine, is a bell housing drain if it is a 3/8" to 1/2" diameter of so.

What year of boat?

 

[davek711]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

I use 30W - 6 quarts if I remember correctly. You can look the filter up using the parts like on top of this page.

That hose, if the same as mine, is a bell housing drain if it is a 3/8" to 1/2" diameter of so.

What year of boat?

Its a 93 Chris Craft Concept 268. Straight 30 or straight 40 seems to be the way to go based on what I've been reading. The guy I bought the boat from must have put way too much oil in it last time it was changed because its WAY over the line on the dipstick.

I climbed back in it this morning to check out the hose in the bilge and I think you are right. It appears to be attached to some type of reservoir, and the end in the bilge is cut on a bias as if it was never meant to be attached to anything. Im just surprised I never noticed it before.

I have been trying to find a manual for the engine but cant seem to find anything when I google the model or serial number. Im only assuming that its a '93 based on the boat being a '93

Thanks for the info, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

The guy I bought the boat from must have put way too much oil in it last time it was changed because its WAY over the line on the dipstick.

... OR the boat is not level.

...OR you have more than just oil in your crankcase. Maybe half water! Time to drain it and see what the situation is.

 

[sam60]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Its a 93 Chris Craft Concept 268. Straight 30 or straight 40 seems to be the way to go based on what I've been reading. The guy I bought the boat from must have put way too much oil in it last time it was changed because its WAY over the line on the dipstick.

I climbed back in it this morning to check out the hose in the bilge and I think you are right. It appears to be attached to some type of reservoir, and the end in the bilge is cut on a bias as if it was never meant to be attached to anything. Im just surprised I never noticed it before.

I have been trying to find a manual for the engine but cant seem to find anything when I google the model or serial number. Im only assuming that its a '93 based on the boat being a '93

Thanks for the info, it is greatly appreciated.

Look on your valve covers for a 744XXXXX numbers/letters to narrow down the factory manual...put the numbers up here and I will help.

Mine is is a 744DPEAMH

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

...OR you have more than just oil in your crankcase. Maybe half water! Time to drain it and see what the situation is.

yeah. Take heed of this suggestion! If you live where you experience freezing weather, a cracked block is definitely a possibility!

 

[sam60]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Let's let him suck the oil out before we say the sky is falling.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Let's let him suck the oil out before we say the sky is falling.

Of course it's falling! It hit me on the head!

 

[sam60]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Of course it's falling! It hit me on the head!

Only because you're always closer to it!

 

[bnicov]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Fire it up on muffs if not in the water or just fire it up if docked and let it run for a couple of minutes. Check the oil, is it milky or does it smell heavily of gasoline? If not, it just has too much oil in it. I pulled almost 7 quarts of oil out of my 4.3 which has a capacity of 4.5 quarts in the fall. Sometimes if the boat isn't level when the oil is changed, it doesn't all get sucked out.

 

[davek711]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Very strange!! For the past year, every time I checked my oil it was "exceptionally" clean. I almost decided not to even bother changing it. But because of the fact that it seemed to have way too much oil in it, I was skeptical and went ahead and did it anyway. Good thing I did because it ended up being extremely dirty!! No water or gas smell, just really really dirty. And a total of only 6 quarts. So what could possibly cause a false indication of it being really clean and there being too much?

 

[sam60]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Very strange!! For the past year, every time I checked my oil it was "exceptionally" clean. I almost decided not to even bother changing it. But because of the fact that it seemed to have way too much oil in it, I was skeptical and went ahead and did it anyway. Good thing I did because it ended up being extremely dirty!! No water or gas smell, just really really dirty. And a total of only 6 quarts. So what could possibly cause a false indication of it being really clean and there being too much?

See ^ above from others ^ is it level? I have the same crankcase and factory service manual says 6 + 1 for filter. So level it up, check again. It might need another quart then.

A few drops on a rag from the dipstick look much cleaner than 6 quarts in an oil pan.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Easiest way to ensure that it is level (and most accurate) is to check it when it is dockside in the water.

^ And what mzahn said about the difference between looking at a dipstick and a pan of oil.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Easiest way to ensure that it is level (and most accurate) is to check it when it is dockside in the water.

Take a cheap level with you too so you can find the same deck angle the next time you want to check the oil on the trailer!

 

[Steve Patmont]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Let's let him suck the oil out before we say the sky is falling.

Hi guys,
I have the same 454 OMC engine and out drive in a 1990 24' Donzi Black Widow. I too want to change the oil, but not sure where the drain is or how to do it.
Can someone fill me in, and also how to service the out drive and with what oil?

Thanks so much for any info.

Steve Patmont

 

[sam60]

Re: King Cobra 454 motor oil recommendation

Hi guys,
I have the same 454 OMC engine and out drive in a 1990 24' Donzi Black Widow. I too want to change the oil, but not sure where the drain is or how to do it.
Can someone fill me in, and also how to service the out drive and with what oil?

Thanks so much for any info.

Steve Patmont

We are in Davek711's post. This forum likes you to post your own question. Your drain is the dipstick tube. I SUCKS, but that's how you drain it.