Replacing Rotor on Mercruiser 5.7

[crawdadric]

1985 Sea Ray SRV 300, Twin Mercruiser 5.7L 2bbl Gen+ (1998 - 2002 vintage replacement engines) S/N's 0M086315 and 0M086308 with alpha 1 outdrives. Thunderbolt V ignition system.

This past weekend I changed out the distributor cap and rotor. The instruction sheet that came with the cap and rotor (Sierra Brand) said to put 2 drops of locktite on the rotor key pin and two drops on the distributor rotor shaft. It also said to put RV-1 on the distributor shaft base to prevent the loktite from seeping down the shaft. My Mercruiser manual kind of goes along with this except it does not include the RV-1 thing and it said to place the distributor upside down over night while the locktite cures.

My questions are -
1) What is RV-1?
2) Is it really necessary to use Locktite? The rotor fits very tight. My local boat mechanic did not think I should worry about it because it is such a tight fit.

I asked a local boat mechanic because I could not see a boat repair shop keeping a boat overnight waiting for the locktite to cure.

Once again thank you in advance..

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing Rotor on Mercruiser 5.7

We NEVER use it on the Merc rotors.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Replacing Rotor on Mercruiser 5.7

I wipe a dab of gel seal on the dist shaft,push the rotor on until fully seated and let it ride. there is a loc-tite version of the gel seal but I cant remember it.
it locks enough to prevent vibration but will let go when needed.
I have never done that particular job by the manual, never had an issue with it either.
its one of the rare cases where I differ from the service manual.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing Rotor on Mercruiser 5.7

We NEVER use it on the Merc rotors.

I have never done that particular job by the manual, never had an issue with it either.
its one of the rare cases where I differ from the service manual.

Holy Cow Batman,................... This IS a 1st..............

Both Don,+ Rodbolt Giving Advise,+ Admitting that Sometimes,........
They Don't actually follow the Factory Service Manual ALL the Time.........................

There's Hope for you 2 Yet,..............
Someday you guys Might actually have a Shot at joining the Backyard Hacker's Club..................

Though I Doubt either of you will ever be nominated for the "Duct Tape" Awards..................................d .......8)


Btw,...... I could Never figure out Why the Lock-Tite is recommended,.........
Consequently,.... I've never used it Either.........

 

[tommays]

Re: Replacing Rotor on Mercruiser 5.7

i have to wonder about all the dammage people have done following the HEAT it up to remove it


Tommays

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Replacing Rotor on Mercruiser 5.7

I have yet to loctite one,but if you did not remove the distributor and place it upside down OVERNITE and the loctite went into the advance weights ......

Oh give me a break.... I have to go check for monsters under my kid's bed.

DHP

 

[Don S]

A Confession is Due ! ! ! !

A Confession is Due ! ! ! !

I guess I'm going to have to admit that I did use locktite ONE time only, and got it a bit thick. Put the rotor on and and the cap. Went home for the night. Next day tried to start the engine and it was locked up. The starter would not turn the engine over. You guessed it. The locktite ran down the shaft and locked the shaft on the bushings. Pulled the distributor and the distributor would not turn. Engine cranked fine. Used heat and disassembled the distributor, cleaned and reinstalled. And it still runs today and that was about 15 years ago.
I doubt there was ever enough locktite to get to the weights, but it will sure stop the engine from turning.
But that is why I never use the stuff on the rotor. Come on, when was the last time a rotor lifted up (with the cap holding it down somewhat)

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Replacing Rotor on Mercruiser 5.7

Well Mercruiser did put those 'little propeller blade" fins below the rotor to help it flyup thru the distributor cap.

DHP

 

[milkyway]

Re: Replacing Rotor on Mercruiser 5.7

Well, I replaced my rotor and used locktite, the type that is anti-vibration and not the red type that you have to heat up to remove. So far so good.