Is premium fuel a requirement for this engine?  I have the 7.4L V-8 Merc with a Bravo 3 Outdrive in a 2000 248 BR

 Thanks

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2000 248 BR
7.4L MPI
Bravo III

Andy, it shouldn't need premium.  All the standard Merc engines I've seen since '96 run on standard 87 octane. 

 

Welcome by the way! 

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O'
"Little Mascara 3"
2003 266BR,496 MAG w/Bravo III

Mike is correct. 87 octane. Sometimes the Marinas only carry premium. Ours carries 89 and 91. I use the 89 when on the lake and fill with 87 when on the trailer.

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Thanks for the info.  I was really hoping I didn't have to put the good stuff in.  At 4.25 a gallon here in Illinois, It would be a back breaker for the premium in a 50 gallon tank

 

BTW Mike... We just moved up here to Illinois from OFallon, MO... Sounds like the boating on the Miss. isn't going all that well this year!!!

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2000 248 BR
7.4L MPI
Bravo III

Sorry to hear you had to head east Andy.  Tell me you haven't become a Cubs fan.    We don't go on the river so it hasn't been an issue for us.  LOTO has been good on water level all season. 

Good luck to you over there. 

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O'
"Little Mascara 3"
2003 266BR,496 MAG w/Bravo III

Actually Mike I have always been a diehard cubby fun... I grew up in Champaign, so living in the STL was a little tough on me!!!!

 While I have us on the topic... did Merc stop making the 7.4L engine with the bravo III?  I can't find any reading material on it anywhere online.

 

Thanks

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2000 248 BR
7.4L MPI
Bravo III

The 7.4 started getting phased out in the early 2000's as the 350mag was then putting out 300hp (but less torque) and the newer 8.1 (496 mag) was coming on strong.  Still, there were tons of those sold and there has to be information on them. 

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O'
"Little Mascara 3"
2003 266BR,496 MAG w/Bravo III

Personally, I never use 87, only 89. Vovlo and probably Merc. state that if you use higher octane you will get increased performance. I know things are tight these days, but I count it the price of boating and not using cheap fuel. You engine will retard the timing if it starts to knock which is more likely if you use regular. Plus long term use may cause more engine wear, I know everyone has their own personal preference, but I want the most I can get out of my engine/boat. And at about 10 cents a gallon your only talking 5 bucks, cheap insurance as far as I'm concerned. Happy boating.

Regards,

Mark. 

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Mark
2004 235CCR

Im with Mark, I am religious in putting 91 octane in my 7.4l. I made the mistake of running the cheap stuff once last summer and it caused all kiinds of problems, some i am still fighting. Plus, i later found out from the dealer to not put anything in the boat that has ethanol in it. the older gas tanks get a build up in them, and when you run ethanol through the tank, and it sits because we dont drive our boat everyday like a car, all that debri gets broken up and ends up clogging your fuel pump. There was a guy here in town last fall that had to pul his gas tank out of a 24' cuddy because the tank was disintegrating from the ethanol eating the plastic of the tank.

 

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Brian & Angie Moss
99 Crownline 266 Ltd.
"Moss Tequila"