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Hammer Head Oil?


jeremy222

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I use straight SAE 40

this was after the recommendation from indmar

I use Valvoline Racing formula sae 40

do a search this is a long thread about this change

Edited by my malibu
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I use straight SAE 40

this was after the recommendation from indmar

I use Valvoline Racing formula sae 40

do a search this is a long thread about this change

I am suddenly confused. I am also a straight 40W (Pennzoil or Phillips 76 QLT) oil user in my 08 HH based on the owner manual that I got with the boat which states very clearly to use 40W in the HH... I went on the Indmar website and looked at the most recent 08/09 manual and it states to use 15W40 . Page 6-4.. see confused :dontknow:

http://issuu.com/ncarrera/docs/2008to2009operatorsmanual/55

Also on a cat equipped boat needs SJ or CJ4 be cautious with the racing oil as per my malibu and the additive package in the race oil

Edited by G-Mack
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Do a search for hammered oil

the old thread will be top of the list and will answer all your questions

In a nut shell 15/ 40 will thin out at high rev and cause the oil pressure alarm to go off

I have never had the alarm go off on me using 15/40 but after reading the thread I changed to straight 40

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Indmar and Malibu both suggested that i run straight 50 weight in the hot climate that I boat in. I was fighting a low oil pressure alarm situation when closing the throttle. The heavier weight oil and the addition of 1 more quart seemed to do the trick. I run Valvoline VR1 50 weight and have since 2006.

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Indmar and Malibu both suggested that i run straight 50 weight in the hot climate that I boat in. I was fighting a low oil pressure alarm situation when closing the throttle. The heavier weight oil and the addition of 1 more quart seemed to do the trick. I run Valvoline VR1 50 weight and have since 2006.

Is this recommendation for the HH with Cats also?

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need to run a SJ rated oil. This will ensure it is catalyst safe as it is a somewhat current spec. Racing oils may be an uncertainty due to the different additive packages (heavy metals etc)

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Do a search for hammered oil

the old thread will be top of the list and will answer all your questions

In a nut shell 15/ 40 will thin out at high rev and cause the oil pressure alarm to go off

I have never had the alarm go off on me using 15/40 but after reading the thread I changed to straight 40

15W40 may not necessarily be light weight at temperature.... need to look at the specs for your oil.... I learned this summer from a local mobil distributor that has a HH... he runs DELVAC 0W40 synthetic as it has a higher viscosity rating (centistoke) at temperature than pennzoil 40 weight. If you have not had an issue with 15W40 I wouldn't be in a rush to change as the flow characteristics when cold is a benefit over straight 40 weight.

Now that I see the manual is updated I am planning to move back to a 15W40.

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I was having an issue with burning oil (15W-40) with my 2007 HH engine......about a quart every 10 hours. I switched to VR 40 Racing Oil after talking to Larry at Indmar and no more problems.

Edited by rkloeppel
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need to run a SJ rated oil. This will ensure it is catalyst safe as it is a somewhat current spec. Racing oils may be an uncertainty due to the different additive packages (heavy metals etc)

Any recommendations?

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I use Phillips 76 Guardol QLT they have a mono grade and a multigrade... I don't bother with synthetic due to the clean environment and low hours between changes.. I have used Pennzoil marine in the past but the guardol spec is better.

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Hey guys just wondering what is the best oil to use in the hammer head? i guess the issue is that the oil thins and causes the oil pressure sensor to go off after a hard pull.

HEre's the Sept 2005 Service Advisory. FYI I got my 2007 LSV Hammerhead 383 400 HP tuned up at Paradise Watersports in Souther Cal and they put in SAE 50 Valvoline Racing Oil. That's what I will continue to use.

Indmar Products

5400 Old Millington Road

Millington, TN 38053

Phone 901-353-9930

Fax 901-358-4292

SERVICE ADVISORY

Date: September 12, 2005

Advisory SV2006-1

Subject: 383 Hammerhead Oil Options

The 383 Hammerhead is a high horsepower, performance oriented engine that

has some different operating characteristics when compared to the LCR or

Monsoon. A by-product of the increased horsepower and performance is

increased heat, particularly increased oil temperature. This increased oil

temperature may result in “thinning” of the oil, particularly when the air and water

temperatures are high.

The 15W40 multi viscosity motor oil that we use in our engines will protect the

lubricated surfaces adequately but may result in lower than expected oil

pressure. GM specifications indicate that oil pressure of 4 psi at idle and 18 psi at

2000 rpm is adequate to lubricate the engine. The oil pressure alarm, as set by

Malibu, is set to go off if the oil pressure drops below 4 psi. It is possible in some

boats, that after a hard run the oil pressure may drop below 4 psi for a brief

period and activate the oil pressure alarm even though there is adequate oil

pressure to protect the engine.

If your customers experience this situation, Indmar recommends that the 383

engines be filled with straight SAE 40 (or SAE 50 in areas where the normal air

temperature is above 90 degrees F) motor oil. Straight weight oil has less of a

tendency to thin than the multi-viscosity 15W40 and should help keep the oil

pressure above the alarm threshold. Even with the SAE 40 or 50 weight oil, the

oil pressure of the 383 at idle may be less than the idle oil pressure of the LCR or

Monsoon. That is a normal situation with this high performance engine.

Please feel free to share this information with your 383 Hammerhead customers.

Don’t forget to remove the 15W40 oil recommendation sticker from the oil fill cap

and inform your customer what oil you have put in the engine in case there is a

need to add oil between oil changes.

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HEre's the Sept 2005 Service Advisory. FYI I got my 2007 LSV Hammerhead 383 400 HP tuned up at Paradise Watersports in Souther Cal and they put in SAE 50 Valvoline Racing Oil. That's what I will continue to use.

Indmar Products

5400 Old Millington Road

Millington, TN 38053

Phone 901-353-9930

Fax 901-358-4292

SERVICE ADVISORY

Date: September 12, 2005

Advisory SV2006-1

Subject: 383 Hammerhead Oil Options

The 383 Hammerhead is a high horsepower, performance oriented engine that

has some different operating characteristics when compared to the LCR or

Monsoon. A by-product of the increased horsepower and performance is

increased heat, particularly increased oil temperature. This increased oil

temperature may result in “thinning” of the oil, particularly when the air and water

temperatures are high.

The 15W40 multi viscosity motor oil that we use in our engines will protect the

lubricated surfaces adequately but may result in lower than expected oil

pressure. GM specifications indicate that oil pressure of 4 psi at idle and 18 psi at

2000 rpm is adequate to lubricate the engine. The oil pressure alarm, as set by

Malibu, is set to go off if the oil pressure drops below 4 psi. It is possible in some

boats, that after a hard run the oil pressure may drop below 4 psi for a brief

period and activate the oil pressure alarm even though there is adequate oil

pressure to protect the engine.

If your customers experience this situation, Indmar recommends that the 383

engines be filled with straight SAE 40 (or SAE 50 in areas where the normal air

temperature is above 90 degrees F) motor oil. Straight weight oil has less of a

tendency to thin than the multi-viscosity 15W40 and should help keep the oil

pressure above the alarm threshold. Even with the SAE 40 or 50 weight oil, the

oil pressure of the 383 at idle may be less than the idle oil pressure of the LCR or

Monsoon. That is a normal situation with this high performance engine.

Please feel free to share this information with your 383 Hammerhead customers.

Don’t forget to remove the 15W40 oil recommendation sticker from the oil fill cap

and inform your customer what oil you have put in the engine in case there is a

need to add oil between oil changes.

Here's another bulletin Sept 2009 on the 383 hammerhead.

Indmar Products

5400 Old Millington Road

Millington, TN 38053

Phone 901-353-9930

Fax 901-358-4292

SERVICE ADVISORY

Date: September 12, 2009

Advisory SV2009-5

Subject: 383 Oil Issues

The Malibu 383 Hammerhead is a unique high performance engine that exhibits

some characteristics that are different than customers are used to experiencing

with standard engines. The 383 is a “hot rod” and as such exhibits some “hot rod”

characteristics.

The 383 has what hot-rodders refer to as a “lumpy” cam so it isn’t going to idle

silky-smooth like a standard 5.7. Most performance oriented customers

recognize this trait from other high performance engines. It is the nature of the

beast and is one of the things that gives this engine its extra kick and puts a

smile on your face when you hit the throttle.

383’s have a tendency to use some oil. Oil consumption of a quart in 4-6 hours,

especially at high rpm and heavy loads is not out of the ordinary and is a pretty

common trait on high performance engines. To ensure that your 383 continues to

run trouble-free, Indmar is recommending a change to the oil level in the engine

and to make it easier for you we are sending you a new dipstick that reflects the

new level. We suggest that you install this new dipstick and throw the old one

away. When the engine is full to the full mark on the new dipstick the oil level in

your may be 1 to 2 quarts higher than with the old dipstick.

When we change oil we like to pre-fill the oil filter at least ½ to ¾ of the way full

before we install it on the engine. We then pour the remainder of the open bottle

and 3 additional quarts into the crankcase and start the engine and let it run for a

couple of minutes. While it is running we check for leaks etc and give the new oil

a chance to circulate through the engine. We then shut the engine off and give

the oil a couple of minutes to drain back to the pan. We then check the oil with

the dipstick and add oil to fill the crankcase to the full mark on the dipstick.

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