MerCruiser 140: Which end of the push rod is up?

[jagilbert]

I just replaced the head gasket on my 73 MerCruiser 140.

I dutifully kept track of which rocker and push rod went to each valve. I neglected however to keep track of which end of the push rod is up - The end with the big hole, or the end with the little hole.

I'm pretty sure I can tell from a wear pattern about three inches from one end that corresponds to where the push rod enters the head - that the big hole is up, but can anyone confirm this?

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: MerCruiser 140: Which end of the push rod is up?

I think it's up.Big hole up.J

 

[jagilbert]

Re: MerCruiser 140: Which end of the push rod is up?

um, so Jerry, you're saying up is up then? so I would assume that the bottom would be down?

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: MerCruiser 140: Which end of the push rod is up?

um, so Jerry, you're saying up is up then? so I would assume that the bottom would be down?

Correct- make sure you have the round end of the push rod at the top, not the flat side-----

Never seen a push rod with different size ends.

 

[jagilbert]

Re: MerCruiser 140: Which end of the push rod is up?

The ends of the push rods are the same size, but the oil hole is different sized on each end.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: MerCruiser 140: Which end of the push rod is up?

Not doubting what you have in front of you, it is very possible you are correct.

just might wanna run a skinny wire thru the pushrod hole and make sure there is isn't a partial blockage making it look like they could be different ends.

I know my father use to clean out the pushrods on his old cars when I wz a kid. For some reason they sometimes could block. Think it was on a Buick.

If you see a wear spot on the side of the pushrod, that to me would indicate the side that went thru the head as u mentioned earlier.

 

[wire2]

Re: MerCruiser 140: Which end of the push rod is up?

....

If you see a wear spot on the side of the pushrod, that to me would indicate the side that went thru the head as u mentioned earlier.

A pushrod will be held in position between the lifter and the rocker arm. If one makes ANY contact with the head, you have bigger problems.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: MerCruiser 140: Which end of the push rod is up?

The reason they had to clean out the push rod was the oil would get hot and carbon up.They also didn't change oil as often.Now days oil is changed every 3-4 thousand mi.It wasn't like that when I was a kid.