first oil change-need some help

[tyzac]

i got my first boat this summer. it's a 97 ski nautique w/ pro boss gt40
i was going to winterize and change the oil this weekend.
i need a little help with finding oil and a filter.
i was told to use straight 40 or 15w40 (i live in illinois)
anybody help me with the filter number (or how about cross reference)
not sure where to purchase-would the local walmart or auto parts
store carry these?? any help would be greatly appreciated.

[NautiqueJeff]

RE: first oil change-need some help

Filter should be a MotorCraft FL-1A. Wal-Mart will have it, and it should only cost about $4 or so.

As for the oil, click on the attachemnt below. This is directly from the '97 manual.

[tyzac]

thank you!!
is that the correct oil?
any specific brand i should look for?

[NautiqueJeff]

Just added the oil information to my post above. You might also want to check out the owner's manual that we have here on this site.

1997 Ski Nautique Owner's Manual

[DanielC]

My personal oil brand and type is Valvoline VR-1 40 W racing oil. The main reason I use it is because it has a fairly high zinc and phosphorous content. These additives are desirable because of the type of camshaft and lifters the GT-40 uses. More modern oils do not have these additives, because the more modern engines use a roller camshaft, that is not as critical of oil choices.

[Quinner]

Great advice from Daniel, there has been some very lengthy discussions on this forum and CCFan regarding the correct oil for a GT-40, or non roller engine.

[DanielC]

More oil change tips

This is the process I use to change the oil. I get a small pump that can suck the oil out, and a container, or containers to put the used oil in. I take them both with me to the boat ramp, and when I am done skiing for the day, right after pulling the boat out of the water, suck the hot oil out. Right at the boat launch, before the oil has a chance to cool, and anything to settle out of it. You will get about 3 1/2 quarts out.
When you get the boat home, put the oil drain hose through the drain plug hole in the bottom of the boat, and into another container, and let it sit overnight. You will get about another 1/2 to 3/4 of a quart oil slowly drained out of the boat.
After the boat has sat for a day of so, remove the oil filter. By waiting to remove the oil filter, a lot less oil leaks into the bilge. Put some rags into the bilge to catch any oil that does fall out. As you are removing the oil filter, wrap a rag around the base of the filter to help catch any oil drips. Make sure the "o" ring off the old oil filter comes off with the old oil filter.
Put the plug back on the oil drain hose, and re secure it. Fill the new oil filter with new oil through the center hole. Install the new filter. The total amount of oil the engine needs is 4 1/2 quarts. Save the half quart for the next time you change the oil.
Pull the rags out of the bildge, and clean up any oil drips you find.
When you start the engine the next time, watch for oil leaks around the oil filter.
Like Jeff said, use the Motorcraft FL1-A oil filter. My opinion follows: Accept no substitutes. Go to a Ford dealer and pay an overpriced dealer price, if you have to. Do not under any circumstances use a Fram filter.
My 1997 Ski Nautique has 2071.2 hours on it. May yours live as long as mine.