Hematite

minxguy:
Yes, I was not clear. If the SAE weight and API rating are the same, then those specs are the same. But, that does not mean that they offer the same protection in a specific application.
What is not the same is every manufacturers additive pack. The additive packs will make a big difference in suitability for different applications.

Pismo10

99 cent Wal Mart oil would work as well in 99% of engines and nobody would ever know the difference.

pqjack

it never did,happen...harley pulled that trick on us a while ago,cause they wanted us to buy THEIR oil,and they didnt have any synt. at the time...now that they have one,all of a sudden,the rollers are starting to roll ...i've used amsoil synt. in my customers' h-d for a long time and never had a roller problem...i dont think a roller can slip with 180 lbs of spring pressure....maybe a merc mechanic can chip in...

Hematite

LOL, probably true!

pqjack

if it meets the specs,probly true......lol

thirdchildhood

iTrader: (6)

That's Mercruiser engines. For Mercury Racing engines it still says: "IMPORTANT: The use of non-detergent oils, multi-viscosity oils (other than Quicksilver 25W-40 or a good quality 20W-40 or 20W-50), synthetic oils, low quality oils or oils that contain solid additives are specifically NOT recommended.".

CrownHawg

I tend to agree with Pismo. I believe that change interval and filter quality have more effect on performance and protection than the additives. Just my .02

Now, after saying that, I'm NOT confident enough to actually USE that 99 cent WM oil. I still use Mobil 1 full synth. I can afford a couple hundred on an oil change, I CAN'T afford an engine rebuild on one or both engines.

cubicinches

Very true... Other than the fact that there's no oil that's 99 cents a quart anymore.

breakitout

Good point. Thanks for adding that for Merc Racing. What I posted is for black mercruiser engines.. mostly the 496 and HO owners here. So going by that it sounds like Merc Racing would like you to use straight 40 or 50 weight oil, and conventional.

Hematite

Hmm, they specifically exclude synthetic oils for the racing engines......interesting.