mercruiser 160

[drotti2004]

I replaced the pushrod cover gaskets on my 1968 160 mercruiser and would like to know if they need to be torque and how much or just tighten until snug.

 

[ziggy]

Re: mercruiser 160

the manual calls for torqueing it to spec. however, much to my dismay. i can not for the life of me find this spec. and i've looked before too as one of mine snibbles a bit. so in lew of no spec. i used general torque values for bolts to set it too. can't remember the size of bolt. but just used the generic torque value for bolts, like this one... http://www.thelenchannel.com/1torque.php
if anyone else can find the proper torque, i'd like to know too. and what page and service manual ya found it on in.....

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser 160

if anyone else can find the proper torque, i'd like to know too. and what page and service manual ya found it on in.....

The torque specs were right where I thought they were. Service Manual #1 go to the Specifications section, page 8-14. Look at rocker arm cover


4 ft. lbs.

 

[ziggy]

Re: mercruiser 160

hum, i thought the rocker arms were on the top, under the rocker arm cover(valve cover), contacting the top of the pushrod and the valve on the other side of the rocker.... the pushrod cover i think is the one that ya access the lifters through on the starboard side of the engine...... that cover is the one i can't find the spec for the 4 bolts ea. for..... these 2 covers i think are the ones the op is talking about..... i see refereance to these covers only once in the engine section of both s/m #1 and #2. both refer you to the spec. section. where i find nothing.....

4 ft. lbs i agree with for the valve cover and that i can find...

am i missunderstanding terminology here?

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser 160

No, I just forgot what I was actully looking for when I THOUGHT I found it.

Use the specs for whatever size bolt it is, since they don't give a specific torque.
On the "Side Covers" in manual #2 it calls for 15 ft lbs for a 5/16-18 bolt. But I have no idea what a 160 side cover bolt has.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: mercruiser 160

I'm curious - do you guys actually use a torque wrench on every bolt that gives a specific torque value? I mean, seriously, every bolt? I can certainly understand head bolts, main and rod caps, etc... but valve covers? Timing chain covers? Surely you must just use your common sense and experience to know how much to tighten them. Right?

 

[Don S]

Re: mercruiser 160

I'm curious - do you guys actually use a torque wrench on every bolt that gives a specific torque value? I mean, seriously, every bolt?

Probably a good thing that a DIYer that knows nothing about an engine or mechanical work uses a torque spec.
To many think they have to be so tight you can't turn them anymore, then they break the bolt.
Had (no longer there) one guy that snapped of a head bolt on an OUTBOARD because he didn't feel the torque wrench click at such a low setting so he just kept going, not having a clue what the torque should feel like.
I really don't have problems firing people that claim to be mechanics and then make mistakes like that.

 

[ziggy]

Re: mercruiser 160

I'm curious - do you guys actually use a torque wrench on every bolt that gives a specific torque value?

i generally do. if it has a torque value listed. i try to use it... to many times it's far to easy to over torque.... and extracting broke bolts don't do much for me other than pain me..... + it seems that parts can be distorted by over torque too....

i'll look for the side covers in sm #2. and i was not thinking straight either. these covers have 2 bolts, in the middle of the cover..... from memory, a 5/16-18 bolt sounds about the right size... 15 ft. lbs strikes me as about right.... gonna go search for side covers after dinner..... terminology..... thanks for the clarification......