Mercruiser 140 Valve adjustment?

ok, adjusting my valves. I set cyl 1 @ TDC with the points open and rotor pointing to #1 fire position and adjust Cyl 1 - Exhaust and intake, Cyl 2 - Intake, Cyl 3 - Exhaust and Cyl 4 Intake, according to the service manual, then put #4 @ TDC with points open and rotor set to #4 fire position and adjusted Cyl 2 - Exhaust, Cyl 3 - Intake and Cyl 4 - Exhaust. I tightened the rockers till there was no lash, then went an additional 3/4 turn for all rockers. I then went back to postion 1 and there was lash in it again. Is this normal? Do I stop or keep going till there is no lash at all?

Re: Mercruiser 140 Valve adjustment?

why did you go to no 4 cylinder .after setting the first set you then rotate the main crank one complete turn and then set the remaining rockers.Do u have a manual?going to the number 4 you was only 1/2 way around with the crank.start again save getting confused.should all be up in the sticky at the top of this page.

Re: Mercruiser 140 Valve adjustment?

I hope before you started adjusting any of them that you backed them all off a turn and a half minimum before starting.
When you bring it up on #1 TDC, get the rotor aimed close to #1 but get your timing mark lined up at zero, don't pay any attention to the points,
Then when you start adjusting, move the pushrod up and down while tightening the rocker arm nut. As soon as the movement stops, stop turning. DO NOT check it again. Now, give it the additional 3/4 turn. You are now done with that valve. DO NOT do anything else to it.

Re: Mercruiser 140 Valve adjustment?

Don, I was hoping you would chime in! Your scaring me by saying "I hope". I'll back them off then and start over. I was calling zero lash the point were rotating the rods between my fingers would stop. I think up and down motion stops before that. The Seloc manual states rotating, the merc manual says up and down. Shoud I do up and down or rotate? Also, do I need to worry about the lifters bleeding off or should i crank the engine some to pump them up with oil? The manual also says after adjusting at number 1 firing position, to rotate to number 4 firing position and adjust, doesn't say to rotate 360. Thoughts?

Re: Mercruiser 140 Valve adjustment?

use the up and down method, and you just do it lightly. You are not wanting to move the insides of the lifter. Just come up against it. The 3/4 to 1 turn down doesn't do anything put put the insides of the lifter into the center of its "working area" a little less or a little more won't hurt anything, as long as you don't screw up the first part of getting the play out.
If there are problems with a lifter acting to tight or too loose after this adjustment, the lifter is probably worn out, and should be replaced. You use to be able to disassemble and clean them, but it didn't really work that well because the insides weren't lined up to the wear points. They are inexpensive for what they do, if they don't work replace them.
IF they are fine and you follow the manufacturers specs on adjustment. Everything will work.
Set them like Joe the racer from igofastrealfast.com says and take your chances.

Re: Mercruiser 140 Valve adjustment?

Thanks Don, am I doing right going from number 1 to number 4 firing position or do I need to go 360 like dingdong suggested?

Re: Mercruiser 140 Valve adjustment?

Turning the crankshaft from #1 to #4 firing position IS 360? rotation of the crankshaft.

Re: Mercruiser 140 Valve adjustment?

So, If when done adjusting, if I go back to number one, the rods shold still be tight, right?