Well I've tried searching but can't find the info

[tri-5-ron]

Hello all,
My name is Ron, live in Orange County, Ca., 50 years old, long time wrench monkey.
I'm new to the forum here, but not new to much of anything else, lol!

In the intrest of not being the new guy that comes on and asks the same question that has been asked a thousand times, (can you tell that I've spent time on different forums ?),
I want to first say that I have tried searching the forums here first, and I HAVE found some of the answers to my questions.

I also tried to look up a online, download-able manual, but it seems that they were deleted here or something like that?

I am trying to resurrect an old Mercruiser 120 I/O.
I have just today, reassembled the top end , (full head/valve job), due to blown head gasket, stuck valve, and pulled rocker stud.

I did at one time have a manual for it, but can not find it for the life of me.
I've found some threads talking about setting the valves with zero lash, but have not found anything detailing sequence or procedure.

I did try looking up an available manual, but so far have not been sucessful finding that either.

I'd geatly appreciate it, if someone could direct me to a link or location, where I could look up the info I need to get these valves properly adjusted.

I ALSO have a question reguarding the Hyd. lifters, and if there is any concern with possible leakdown in them, and should I b concerned with that prior to adjusting the vavles???

The I/O is a 1972 Mercruiser 120hp. (inline 4 cyl.)

I had the boat up and running about a year and a half to two years ago, and all was well. We took a week vacation to Havasu, and 6 or 7 trips to the local marina's. Boat has always ran very nicely.
Always did an immediate wash down, and engine flush with "salt away" when pulled out of salt water, maintaince has been pretty good.

If anyone here can help me with a way to look up a manual, or provide me with the specs and procedure for properly adjusting the valves, I'd greatly appreciate it.
(also, give me your opinions on if I should have any concerns with the lifters, after sitting for that long)

Thanks in advance for any replies,
Ron

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Well I've tried searching but can't find the info

One quick search and came up with this:

Valve Adjustment
Engine Not Running
With valve cover removed, adjust valves when lifter
is on low part of camshaft lobe, as follows:
1. Crank engine with starter or turn over in normal
direction of rotation until mark on torsional damper
lines up with center ?0? mark on timing tab, and
engine is in No. 1 firing position. This may be determined
by placing fingers on No. 1 valve as
mark. If valves move as mark comes up to timing
tab, engine is in No.4 firing position and should be
turned over one more time to reach No. 1 position.
No. 1 Cylinder - Exhaust and Intake
No. 2 Cylinder - Intake
No. 3 Cylinder - Exhaust
No. 4 Cylinder - Intake
2. With engine in No. 1 firing position as determined
above, the following valves may be adjusted:
3. Back out adjusting nut until lash is felt at push rod,
then turn in adjusting nut until all lash is removed.
This can be determined by moving push rod upand-
down while turning adjusting nut until all play
is removed.
4. Hydraulic lifters now can be adjusted by tightening
adjustment nut an additional 3/4-turn. Valve
lash should be checked after engine has run and
reached operating temperature.
5. Crank engine one revolution until pointer ?0? mark
and torsional damper mark are again in alignment.
This is No. 4 firing position. With engine in
this position, the following valves may be adjusted:
No. 2 Cylinder - Exhaust
No. 3 Cylinder - Intake
No. 4 Cylinder - Exhaust
6. Install distributor cap, spark plug wires and coil
lead.
7. Install rocker arm cover; torque to 40 lb. in. (4.5
N?m).

 

[tri-5-ron]

Re: Well I've tried searching but can't find the info

Thank you so very much. That is exactally what I have been trying to find myself. I'll be heading out to the driveway to do this right now.

So am I correctly assuming, that nothing to be concerned with, reguarding the lifters have been sitting for almost two years?
I.E.- leak down, or other concerns?

Ron

on edit- 15 minutes later now, followed the above listed proceedure.
still a little concerned about turning the engine over with the starter, before hearing if I should be concerned about the lifters question.

I guess what I'm asking here is, could it be possible that any of the valves are now adjusted too tight, if a hyd lifter is completely compressed ?
(I hope that makes sence)

 

[Don S]

Re: Well I've tried searching but can't find the info

It's possible they could be to tight.

Do this, loosen them all up a couple of turns. Make sure all the threads above the nuts are close to equal.
Remove the spark plugs, and crank the engine over for a bit with the starter and allow the oil pressure to build up. Now, adjust the lifters.

3. Back out adjusting nut until lash is felt at push rod,
then turn in adjusting nut until all lash is removed.
This can be determined by moving push rod upand-
down while turning adjusting nut until all play
is removed.

One note in step 3 above. When you are turning or lifting the push rod and turning the adjusting nut down, and you feel the push rod stop moving. STOP, do not even think about checking it again. It will be loose, but if you tighten it till it stops moving again, your lifter will be too tight. Find zero lash one time and one time only.

 

[tri-5-ron]

Re: Well I've tried searching but can't find the info

Thanks, That makes perfect sense.

I'll admit though, after reading that I felt a little embarrassed.
Sort of one of those slap myself in the forehead moments.

I guess sometimes I try to pre-think something so hard, that I get too focused on the immediate issue in question, and completely brain-fart on how to avoid a potential problem. Duh !

 

[tri-5-ron]

Re: Well I've tried searching but can't find the info

Just thought I'd come back to say thanks again for the advise.
I did as DonS suggested, pulled the spark plugs, loosened the valves, pumped up the oil pressure using the starter, re-adjusted the valves,
worked very well, and am happy to report that it fired right up, and is runnig smooth.

Now after reading many related threads, I've come to the conclusion that the manifold is probably leaking water into the exhaust ports,... is what caused the original problem, and should be replaced soon, to avoid this from happening again.
So I will now be shopping for a new replacement manifold, and probably riser too.

Now onto my next problem. The stuck steering.,(for a seperate thread).
Again, I've searched the forum, and have read through 5 pages of similar threads. I will try all the suggestions in those threads FIRST, But do have some questions, that I will post in a seperate thread for steering.

Thank you guys so very much, for tolerating another newbie, and helping me through these issues.
I will do my best to understand the forum rules, and to post intellegent comprehensive questions.

Ron