Re: 1970 merc 9.8 no start
"Timing" won't affect the presence of (or lack of) spark you get when advancing the throttle. Timing is advanced as the throttle is opened via linkage between the throttle and the points plate.<br /><br />1970 Merc 9.8 ign has a 'ring' type stator/CDI unit, with (2) sets of points to trigger the spark events. You may find the points blocks are worn to the extent that you lose spark due to slop in the points plate when you advance the throttle. Or a break in one of the wires that moves when the points plate moves.<br /><br />Pull the flywheel, and replace the points or clean them up with a whetstone and degrease with suitable solvent. Check all the wires for problems. Make sure the ground wire is firmly attached to the stator.<br /><br />Replace the white insulator block that each points wire and points set attaches to. These blocks develop cracks with age, and will ground out the ign. Many of this type of stator have been misdiagnosed as bad, when only the insulator blocks were shot.<br /><br />Gap the points to .020". Then see if she'll fire for you.<br /><br />Thats all I got, HTH............ed
