Re: 85 hp V4 reeds

[Don]

Well, in a perfect world, the reeds would seal completely. The positive crankcase pressures help seal the reeds, forcing them completely closed. Most attempts to reseat/adjust/or the dreaded reed flipping will usually end up with broken reeds, screws falling out, or other calamities. Unlike your early stern drive engines, the 72 V4 is very forgiving, and I feel confident it will run fine the way it is. I guess if I was going to attack the reeds, I would order new reed pedals, never attempt to preload/seal the old ones, and use Loctite on the retaining screws….