What Type of Oil for Oil Change on a GT-40?

[Boardboy]

Getting ready to change the oil on a '99 Super Air with about 1000 hours on an EFI GT40 in Orlando,Florida.
Have read several posts including those of DanielC stating that the oil should have zddp inside.
Oils mentioned were 40 weight Rotella and Valvoline VR1.
In my area VR1 is only available in 20w50 and straight 50 weight.
Rotella is only available in 5w40,15w40 and 30w.

Anyone have any suggestions? Can I safely use one of the oils above?
I already have a Motorcraft FL-1A filter ready to go.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Note to NautiqueJeff. Thanks for making this site happen and to all those who contribute their valuable advice.
New changes are great.

[AuMDLST]

Have you called orlando Nautiques? Oil changes are no charge

[74green]

I had this same question a couple months ago. Ended up going to Sail and Ski (my local Nautique dealer)… told me they only run Mercury Mercruiser 25W-40 in their boats. Just being a new ’01 Air nautique owner (with GT-40) I went ahead and bought what they recommended. Interested to see what other people’s inputs are on this topic too.

Going conventional versus marine motor oil I wonder what the difference is. I understand there are additives in marine oils but I don’t know if there are any negatives if just using straight automotive oil. Marine oil + filter = almost $50, Auto Parts store oil + filter = $15. What is in a brand new Nautique??

[Boardboy]

I have had my oil changed at Southeast Marine at no charge but I started rethinking that after reading some posts about the zddp needed for the flat tappet GT40.

[DanielC]

You probably have to go to more of a specialty shop, one that caters to real race cars, not a shop that sells spoilers and wings for Hondas.
Valvoline has a web site, you might be able to find out where you can get the oil from the web site.
If you find it, buy 14 quarts, enough for three oil changes.
I have found two different auto parts stores that carry it, and it is currently about $4.00 a quart, with out sales tax.
It just might be a special order item in your area.

[TRBenj]

In my area VR1 is only available in 20w50 and straight 50 weight.
Rotella is only available in 5w40,15w40 and 30w.

You can safely run the VR1 20w50. I use it in all my older Nautiques.

[mcbridek]

My 99 owners manual recomments 40wt - I use 40wt Valvoline VR1, Carquest carries it, but it is expensive.

[bobchris]

You probably have to go to more of a specialty shop, one that caters to real race cars, not a shop that sells spoilers and wings for Hondas.
Valvoline has a web site, you might be able to find out where you can get the oil from the web site.
If you find it, buy 14 quarts, enough for three oil changes.
I have found two different auto parts stores that carry it, and it is currently about $4.00 a quart, with out sales tax.
It just might be a special order item in your area.

guess your not changing the filter you'll be a little short if using that number since it takes 5 gts with a filter change ( which should be every time) for the windsor engine.

[mf01]

I use Rotella 15w-40 (It meets the ZDDP requirements). You can pick it up at Wal-mart. It takes just around 4.5 quarts with a filter change.

[Boardboy]

Thanks everyone. I found some 40wt VR1 at a Valvoline Oil change center that I'm going to use and try a Jabsco flat tank extractor to get the oil out.
I'll post my experience this first time around.

[DanielC]

My manual says to check the oil when warm, with the boat floating in the water, and to wait about a minute after shutting off the motor.
After letting the engine drain overnight, and putting 4 quarts in the engine, and a half quart in the filter, my oil level has never been at or below the add mark on the dipstick, when following the above procedure.
But to be honest, my engine only has 2245 hours on it, so I could be doing something wrong, but I doubt it.