This is not even remotely close to police matter. It is a civil matter that would need to be taken up in small claims court if it can't resolved.

Got a call from the seller today after sending him a short video of the engine running (with a miss) before I did the complete tune up, timing adjustment, and carb adjustments. And of the thermostat pic along with the description of what happened.

So far he says he will stand behind it, and do what needs to be done if the mechanical oil pressure test comes back negative.

We'll see..... Hope he's legit.

Got an oil pressure tester on her today.

Oil was down, so I topped it off.

Was getting 12 psi at 700 RPM.

32 psi at 2k RPM

I do not know what oil was installed from the seller. Just that it is clean and fresh.

Should I do an oil change with 25W 40 and new filter and retest?

Cut open the oil filter and look for metal?

How do you guys cut the filter open and not get shavings that would contaminate what you're looking at?

Thanks

If you use a proper oil filter cutter tool it won't leave shavings. It has a roller cutter wheel like a manual can opener. If you hacksaw or sawzall it then yes, you'll have shavings.

BBCs don't need a ton of oil pressure at idle. As rpm climb, the old rule of 10psi per 1000 rpm would be adequate to shoot for. Sounds like you have that.

That’s very low for cold oil.

I know, but it was said before. Merc spec was 4 PSi at idle. Scary, I know.

It also says 30 PSI at 2k RPM. Which it has.

Drained the oil and removed the oil filter. I can see metal flake/glitter on the oil filter top (where the threads are)

Put on a Wix filter and added 20W 50 oil. Will retest tomorrow and see what we get.

Cold 20W50 oil get 26 PSI at idle and over 40 PSI at 2k RPM.

Once warm, I got 16 PSI at idle and 32 PSI at 2K.

Took it out today just to see what happens. (had a buddy with his boat accompany me if a problem arose)

Decent pressure cold, but once warm, it was a little above the 0 on my gauge. (not mechanical tester gauge) But in all fairness, it doesn't read low pressure well. Starts at 0 and next reading is 40, so you're guessing at anything below that.

No way I can trust this engine. It really sucks because today was so beautiful out and we really enjoyed being on OUR boat. Not someone else's.

16 at idle and 32 at 2k isnt too bad for a well used old 7.4

Check oil filter again, glitter does not fix itself.

Doesn't leave a lot of confidence seeing the needle barely off the 0 when it used to make 40. But I get what you mean.