1989 125 Force Timing (Please Help)

[DJestes]

Ok I am back again this site is awsome and I thank everyone for their help! Now my 1989 125 is on a 20' Maxum I brought the engine in for a tune up and upon the return I did not get the top speed but it idles great and runs smooth. Just for the heck of it I checked the butterfly plates and found them at 75% at WOT. I then extended the throttle linkage and got both of them horizontal (but not beyond) and adjusted the cam roller and the engine did gain more speed but I can't get her past 4500 RPM. Before the tune up I got 5-5500 Because I made these adjustments do I need to adjust the timing? And if so whats the best way?

 

[jimdi@localnet.com]

Re: 1989 125 Force Timing (Please Help)

You really need to get a manual. <br /><br /> Too many mechanics try to set roller with tower linkage attached - and that throws everything off. (that is why your carbs weren't opening up all the way) And it is not by the book. <br /><br />First your tower linkage - disconnect this from the tower - adjust the roller to just meet the between the lines on the cam. Tighten.<br />Put tower linkage back on cam & tower. AT WOT (engine off) the throttle plates should be horizontal. adjust as necessary.<br /> <br />For my force 125 - it takes 2 people. ON the water at WOT - with a timing light set it to the middle of 3 marks (30) left is 32 right is 28.<br /><br />the timing screw is on the top of the tower linkage. This cannot be set at idle - since changing the idle speed is done by advancing timing. <br /><br />NOte- the old setting was 32 deg. Force reduced this to 30 to reduce engine wear.

 

[DJestes]

Re: 1989 125 Force Timing (Please Help)

Thanks JimDi,<br /><br />I do own the manual and you are right the mechanic probably did exactly what you described. The engine does idle great and accelerates pretty good. The roller is centered but top end is still not quite right (33 MPH and 4500RPM) I will check the timing tommorow and report back. I hope WOT timing adjustment will do the trick.

 

[HowieDean]

Re: 1989 125 Force Timing (Please Help)

You don't have to hang out the back of the boat with a timing light....<br /><br />Unhook the throttle cable<br />Snap the throttle linkage off the tower arm...<br />Mark 30 deg line with a magic marker.. or my favorite white "Liquid Paper"<br />Hook up the timing light...<br />Start the motor<br />Push the tower arm to full travel...<br />Adjust the top screw to get the marks to line up...<br /><br />The timing is strictly mechanical.. changing the position of the triger in relation to the flywheel magnets....<br /><br />Cyntriphical force will cause the timing to "Stretch" about 1/2 of a degree at WOT but your timing marks have more erorr then that when they are stamped at the factory...<br /><br />We set advance on motors that pull 11,000 Rpms by turning them over with the starter.. plugs out and grounded...

 

[Greg Lawrence]

Re: 1989 125 Force Timing (Please Help)

ok that sounds like a goood plan. im going to check my timing that way.

 

[DJestes]

Re: 1989 125 Force Timing (Please Help)

So....is it true that the improper WOT timing will effect top speed but idle and accelerate just fine?

 

[HowieDean]

Re: 1989 125 Force Timing (Please Help)

It can effect top end performance...<br />I hesitate to relate this to you cause people are going to think I'm nuts... I recently rebuilt a 1995 Force 120.... Throttle plates only oponed alittle more then 3/4 timing was 26 deg... Asked if anybody had ever messed with the linkages.. was told no...<br />Went ahead and set linkage so plates were flat and set timing to 30 deg.... Lost 8 miles an hour.... Motor was running way too rich... makes no sense... put plates back to where they had been... speed came back... motor is still a little rich... but since Forces seem to be a little fragile didn't want to lean it up any... Customer was happy... Have yet to figure this out... Take this as an observation becuase, as I said I have no basis for why it worked on that praticular motor... but if you set the timing and it doesn't help might not hurt to try.... Good luck.. Let me know...

 

[DJestes]

Re: 1989 125 Force Timing (Please Help)

Howiedean,<br /><br />Thanks....I will be in Maine tommorow and I will give the timing a shot.

 

[Jurky]

Quick clarification. Can I set timing at WOT in neutral or do I need to jump the safety switch and set it in gear?

 

[GA_Boater]

Quick clarification. Can I set timing at WOT in neutral or do I need to jump the safety switch and set it in gear?

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