Head torque on 4cyl mercruiser 488 the one with the ford BB head

[baddjonny]

Two of my books show 130 foot pounds that seems really tight . If I remember right the head is cast iron and the block is aluminum . checking this for a friend that blew a head gasket. Have never worked on this engine so I figured I'd ask.

Thanks
jon b

[njj502]

130 isnt all that much unless it is an aluminum block (which I kinda doubt). Are you sure it's not an aluminum head with a cast block?

[mach351]

Yea not sure if the block is aluminum - I torque my 460 heads in my mustang to 140 (iron head iron block)

[Bies]

Believe the torque spec, is the Ford Spec

[flabum1017]

Yes, 130 is correct, and yes, it's an iron head and aluminum block.....

[njj502]

That's f'ed up

[flabum1017]

That's f'ed up

Except for having an alternator proble, they were actually a good motor...........

[Bies]

Freind had one ditched the alternator on the harmonic balancer, used a single wire marine alt, made a bracket, also shucked the heat exchanger, and ran fresh water cooling.

[powerabout]

the engine would have been a success if they used a chev head
The ports in the ford were too big
they also used a prestolite starter and that curse of a ford in a boat struck twice

[delawarerick]

They made an alternator kit but it was hard to beat the 140 iron duke engine. Rick

[Bies]

Have an Iron Duke in a 17' Checkmate, runs great, Mercruiser drive. Balanced the assembly and it is a seaing machine, 77' model.
Ski Nautique guys get pissed because it will outrun their 351 Fords