what oil ratio??

[laveycraft]

hey im totally new to outboards and i have a a 1988 200 black max that is getting rebuilt and the guy thats doing the work told me that i should run 24:1 for the first eight hours and then go to 50:1 ... but 24:1 seemed a little rich to me?? but then I talked to one of my buddies thats always had outboards, he said that he has always ran 24:1 . . . so I dont know what to do . . what you guys think??? . . iv searched but couldn't find what im looking for

[K-Dawg]

I ran mine double mix for the first tank of gas. Maybe even 2. After that 50:1. So, 24:1 would be double mix. Sounds right to me.

[RNM018]

I run 25:1 for break in on the hose and the first tank . I also only use petrolium base oil for break in and switch to synthetics later . Everyone will have a little differant idea , but running 25:1 after break in is just a waste . If it makes you feel better run 40:1 , just because it's easier to figure out that way . I run all my 2.4's at 50:1 and have been fairly sucsessful at keeping them togaither . As some like to say "They Don't Owe Me Nothing" the way I run them . Good Luck , and Enjoy ! Rich Martin 018:cool:

[stokernick]

depending on your RPM's50/1 should be fine,but if you're 6800 plus 32/1 synthetic IMHO!!

[Raceman]

I agree with Stroker............ 25:1 at first then go to 40:1 with full synthetic. I run ALL of my stuff at 32:1, but it's probably not necessary. I just like the extra insurance.

I've blown ONE powerhead that was on premix in over 35 years of runnin' Mercs, and it had somebody else's OLD GAS and unknown oil mix in an existing tank in a used boat that I was too eager to run.:o

[Jay Smith]

Run anybodys fully syn 2 cycle lubes on fresh built steel sleeved engine after 1 tank of petrolium oil thinking its broke in and you WILL gauld the bores....I've learned my lesson on that subject the HARD way.

Thanks to John Marles who taught me this VALUABLE lesson...( IMO Marles is the king of making the steel sleeved Merc engines live )

my .02

[Markus]

Jay,

How much mineral oil would you run through a Nikasil engine before switching to synthetic?

6 liters is what I have been running at previous rebuilds...

Thanks for explaining how to install the spacer plate, btw. Those "aftermarket" countersunk screw holes nearly drove me mad...

[Jay Smith]

No problem Markus,
I normally run 100 - 200 gals of "dino" oil in coated bored engine before I suggest making the switch. The aluminum bore material in the high performance has the same expantion rate as the piston and doen't cause the stree on parts like the steel bore/ alum. piston combo does...

Jay