Valve Adjustment -351 Merc IB

[lakeguy72]

I'm reassembling my 233 HP Merc(351) IB after doing a valve job and the manual mentions checking valve clearance. The individual rocker arms are not adjustable--it appears that you just tighten the nuts until tight(25 ftlbs?) as they are free spining. The lifters are hydraulic. I was going to bring each cylinder up to TDC and then tighten the nuts but I've heard that you don't have to do that--just tighten the nuts and go boating.<br />Comments<br />Lakeguy72

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Valve Adjustment -351 Merc IB

Ford used two types.. The older rocker arms had to be adjusted, where as; the newer type (yours) are bolted down... <br /><br />Tighten the rocker arm fulcrum bolts to 18-25 ft lbs.(with no spring load on the rocker arm), and go...

 

[lakeguy72]

Re: Valve Adjustment -351 Merc IB

Thanks. That's what I did. I then turned the engine over by hand to make sure everthing was ok.<br />Lakeguy72