Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Bullet Proof Crusader?

N

nightstalker

Regular Contributor
I go down to the wharf Sat. to pick up a few lobsters for a picnic. When I get there, I see the lobster guy tinkering with his Crusader. It's a single Crusader in a 30' Novi style semi displacement hull lobster boat. We stuck up a conversation and he told me that it was a 1996 454 (FWC) with a lttle over 3200 hours on her. He said she runs like a kitten and other than replacing risers , manafolds, etc. has only had a top end job. I'm sure that his maintenence is faultless, but over 3200 hours? Could she have run that long because she hardly ever sits? I knew that Crusaders were basically bulletproof, but this one seems to be rocketproof.
Nightstalker
 
I do believe it. He prolly runs around 2000 rpm most of the time. My last car had 10000 gas engine hours, as calculated by the on board computer. 350,000 miles and 35 avg mph. And, it did NOT have a top end job!
 
over 3100 hours on our pair before they were completely rebuilt. never removed a cover until they were sitting in the shop. Machinist was very impressed with the lack of wear, especially given they were from a marine application. Probably 35-40% of that time at cruise, probably 40% at tuna trolling speed, the rest at idle. Regular use minimizes the 'corrosion' issues, somewhat, but also accumulates basic 'wear'. In our case, we give most of the longevity credit to the full synthetic oil.
 
makomark said:
over 3100 hours on our pair before they were completely rebuilt.
never removed a cover until they were sitting in the shop. Machinist was very impressed with the lack of wear, especially given they were from a marine application. Probably 35-40% of that time at cruise, probably 40% at tuna trolling speed, the rest at idle. Regular use minimizes the 'corrosion' issues, somewhat, but also accumulates basic 'wear'. In our case, we give most of the longevity credit to the full synthetic oil.
Click to expand...

If I switch to a full synthetic oil in my 1990 454 (FWC) Crusaders (700 hours), which brand and weight should I use? I've been using straight 40 weight Rotella. Anything I should be aware of if I switch to a full synthetic?
Thanks,
Nightstalker
 
I was using straight 40W Rotella and when I switched I went to 20W-50 Mobil One. I did find ROYAL PURPLE in 5 gal pails as full synthetic 30W or 40W single viscosity oil....Cheap too.(only kidding) NOT CHEAP!
 
IF your motor has roller lifters, you can use any oi you like. But if it has flat tappets, you need to use Rotella or an additive with ZDDP.

Jeff
 
Jeff,

How can I tell if my engines have the flat tappets or roller lifters? They are 1989 454 motors serial numbers 83113 (RH) and 83115 (LH) which I believe makes them Mark-4 engines. They are original with about 1200 hours on them. I am presently running 10W40 oil.

Thanks,
Erich
 
erich said:
Jeff,

How can I tell if my engines have the flat tappets or roller lifters? They are 1989 454 motors serial numbers 83113 (RH) and 83115 (LH) which I believe makes them Mark-4 engines. They are original with about 1200 hours on them. I am presently running 10W40 oil.

Thanks,
Erich
Click to expand...
They have flat tappets, if stock. I would recommend a straight weight oil if not synthetic, although I might make the exception for using multi-viscosity HDEO, like Rotella, Delvac, etc. If using run of the mill auto, dino oil, I also would add ZDDP additive. I have just moved to amsoil classic which has high zinc and phosphorus, unlike most gasoline rated oils.
 
The newer stuff (API SM) has less "friendly to old engine" additives and DD's additives will fix that. FWIW, we haven't used the additives with the synthetics and haven't had any valvetrain issues.

As far as break-in goes, the old school says to use dino oil and then switch. New engines are built nowadays with their first drink of oil from the synthetic drum. Personally, I'd use whatever the warranty requires. When we rebuilt both of ours, we used the dino oil and then went to synthetic at 50 hours...and that was to satisfy the machinist's requirement (he's old school). I think ensuring the cam gets broken in correctly is a bigger issue than the type of oil used for breakin.
 
diver_dave said:
They have flat tappets, if stock. I would recommend a straight weight oil if not synthetic, although I might make the exception for using multi-viscosity HDEO, like Rotella, Delvac, etc. If using run of the mill auto, dino oil, I also would add ZDDP additive. I have just moved to amsoil classic which has high zinc and phosphorus, unlike most gasoline rated oils.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info Jeff!
 
"rfdlou" is correct. A well used engine, when properly maintained will seeming last forever.

I run twin crusader 270's from 1980 with 1150 hours. They're inspected and maintained routinely -- and operate perfectly without incident.
 
Jeff. Good point. Knock wood.

Though all said, if I were to have a gas driven boat, my number one choice would be a crusader. ..And specifically the 270 at that. ..It's one solid engine. Maintained well, you will get 1800-2200 hours from them with only small maintenance costs. Parts are plentiful. ..And apparently, there are gobs of good technical support out there..
 
I realize that thread is several weeks old, and comments have been made....., but the title caught my eye.

This may have as much to do with the trawler hull and low speeds, as it does with the Crusader engine, IMO.
Not knocking Crusader in any way/shape/form.... just a general statement regarding the GM Marine version engine.

Last summer I installed a replacement 290 lower unit on a twin engine Gill Net trawler.
The Port side lower unit drive vertical shaft had snapped in half.... and there were no visible signs as to why.
The gears were very shinny, yet in very good condition.
In fact.... I replaced the shaft.... and it is now a usable lower unit for someone.

While we were talking, I asked the owner how many hours he had on the engines/drives.
I was surprised when he told me just over 6k hours!
That is a 6, a comma and three zeroes.... aka 6,000... aka "six-thousand" hours of low speed operation.

Now these were Volvo Penta SBC's, but are basically the same as if they had been Mercs, Crusaders, etc.

So yes, it is possible!

.
 
Last edited:
Rick,

I've seen a number of instances where crusaders have attained 3,000+ hours with routine maintenance. 6,000 is pretty remarkable, though.

Whether it is that Crusaders are in "old person boats" (unlike Mercs, who are in "young fools' boats"), or they're the four-bolt GM commercial core, or whether it is that they're FWC exhaust manifolds.. They seem to run forever.

You know, if I die and come back to earth as a marine engine: I want to be in a trawler.
 
Back
Top