Valve lash adjustment on Mercruiser 470

[Max-Falcon]

I am in the process of servicing my Merc 470s head. Got the head back from the machine shop where they tested it for crack and resurfaced it. Installed the head as per service manual. My question is do I have to adjust the valve lash since I disassembled the rocker arms and push rods? or in general when is that adjustment needed?

Also during the assembly of the rocker arms and push rods I bent one of the rods (didn't turn the piston 1 at TDC and tighten the bolt!) the bent was very minor and I was able to almost straighten the push rod with a hammer. It is not 100% like before but rolls pretty well on glass. I know that push rods are cheap and it is always a better idea to replace with a new one but I have a difficult time finding the correct push rod! So I am wondering what would be the risk of using a push rod that has been straighten with hammer.

 

[Scott Danforth]

you must follow the factory manual. setting valve lash on the stock ford head is exactly like setting valve lash on the early ford FE motors. with custom length push rods.

the other option is to modify the head for adjustable rockers

once you bend a push rod, its junk, it will re-bend