MERCRUISER MODEL 165 (2 BBL.) MERCURY 224 I/L4 1987

[Jacob36]

Hello I have a 192 classic wellcraft with the

MERCRUISER MODEL 165 (2 BBL.) MERCURY 224 I/L4 1987​

470 4 cylinder 3.7L just rebuilt the head from blown head gasket, was lossing water and come to find out it was dumping water on #1 cylinder, replaced the intake, exashuast, head, exashuast elbow gaskets. Had the head rebuilt, valves lapped, checked for cracks, surfaced it hole nine yards. Put it all back together, cranked right up, ran fine no over heating, no water leaking oil pressure was good, then out of no where motor dies will not crankshaft back up will try to bust off but not crank up fully. I have checked everything I can think of from wiring have 12v everywhere needed, getting gas, getting spark, TDC, cam is on the marks both valve where closed, distributor rotor was on the #1 mark in line with the #1 on the cap, no water in oil, oil pressure is reading 60psi plus not sure what is causing this need some help If anyone can.
Also only other thing I haven't done is cylinder pressure test and leak down test was planing on doing that today. Attached pic of the motor for reference also

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Does it have a fuel water separator? If yes, remove and dump it in a clear container and see how the fuel looks. Take a teaspoon sample of said fuel and try to light it on fire with match. (Just a teaspoon full and away from any other fuel source) Do you see flame in the spoon? If your getting spark and gas and the timing is correct at 4°, then I'd be looking at the quality of the fuel.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Get a compression test to be sure sure the whole nine yards didn't miss a valve adjustment or broken rings. Happens to most anyone.

 

[Jacob36]

Does it have a fuel water separator? If yes, remove and dump it in a clear container and see how the fuel looks. Take a teaspoon sample of said fuel and try to light it on fire with match. (Just a teaspoon full and away from any other fuel source) Do you see flame in the spoon? If your getting spark and gas and the timing is correct at 4°, then I'd be looking at the quality of the fuel.

It does not have a water fuel separator on it idid check the fuel no water in it but smelled old and dark yellow tint I just put that gas in 3 week before this happen. It did burn off but not at what I think it should have I am going to get some new fuel in a can and put my pump on a small tank just to see if that works

 

[Jacob36]

Get a compression test to be sure sure the whole nine yards didn't miss a valve adjustment or broken rings. Happens to most anyone.

I was finally able to do compression test
#1 130 psi
#2 130 psi
#3 140 psi
#4 130 psi
Seams little low I would think this needs to be around 145 150 ?

Also u can't adjust the fall on this motor, there is no valve Lash spin motor to top ded #1 tighten bolts down to 20 ft pounds
Then spin motor 360 degrees and tighten other 3 intake exshuast down and your done

 

[Scott Danforth]

Compression?

Have you serviced the points?

 

[Scott Danforth]

I was finally able to do compression test
#1 130 psi
#2 130 psi
#3 140 psi
#4 130 psi
Seams little low I would think this needs to be around 145 150 ?

Also u can't adjust the fall on this motor, there is no valve Lash spin motor to top ded #1 tighten bolts down to 20 ft pounds
Then spin motor 360 degrees and tighten other 3 intake exshuast down and your done

You adjust by different pushrods or shims under the rocker studs

Just like every Ford FE motor

 

[Jacob36]

Compression?

Have you serviced the points?

Yes if talk about distributor replace rotor and cap when I did a tune up at beginning of summer ran fine then

 

[Scott Danforth]

Yes if talk about distributor replace rotor and cap when I did a tune up at beginning of summer ran fine then

No. Service the points.

File them
gap them
Verify dwell with a meter
Set timing

 

[Jacob36]

You adjust by different pushrods or shims under the rocker studs

Just like every Ford FE motor

Correct but everything was fine before rebuilding head and for about one hour after rebuilding then just went dead and will only bust off not crank all the way
I made sure when I pulled it apart that I match all push rods and rocker to where they went.

 

[Jacob36]

No. Service the points.

File them
gap them
Verify dwell with a meter
Set timing

I will Try that I know the time is on point

 

[Jacob36]

Yes if talk about distributor replace rotor and cap when I did a tune up at beginning of summer ran fine then

Compression?

Have you serviced the points?

If you did see this was the compression test
#1 130 psi
#2 130 psi
#3 140 psi
#4 130 psi

 

[Scott Danforth]

Your down on power about 25hp, but the motor should run.

Go back to the points. Ensure you have spark

 

[Jacob36]

Your down on power about 25hp, but the motor should run.

Go back to the points. Ensure you have spark

Will double check this again tomorrow evening
It did have a spark, blueish red spark everything the rotor paste the points

 

[Scott Danforth]

Will double check this again tomorrow evening
It did have a spark, blueish red spark everything the rotor paste the points

File the points
Gap the points
Verify dwell with a meter