98' mercruiser 3.0 timing problem

[riverbarron]

I just picked up a 98'[ searay 175 fixer upper. The timing mark on the balancer is showing up on the left side of the water pump pulley instead of the right side with the timing indicator. What's going on???????

 

[Don S]

Re: 98' mercruiser 3.0 timing problem

Are you sure your timing light is hooked to #1 spark plug wire. Had to ask, when you have read as many posts as I have you will understand why I asked.

It's possible you have the wrong balancer on your engine, and the balancer was designed for an engine with the timing marks in a different location. You can get a piston stop, and make a new timing mark. Not hard to do really.

 

[mark1905]

Re: 98' mercruiser 3.0 timing problem

Don.. what about connecting jumper across the white the timing wires at the distributor when you're reading the timing? Not sure what the proper terminology is for those.

 

[Vegas Naturist]

Re: 98' mercruiser 3.0 timing problem

There are two short grey wires coming out of the distributer with bullet connectors on the end, both female if memory serves. You need to jump across these wires to set base timing. Base timing is 1 BTDC. When you unjump those wires, timing will (should) jump to 10 - 14 BTDC. This is your normal advance at idle.

John

 

[mark1905]

Re: 98' mercruiser 3.0 timing problem

Exactly.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 98' mercruiser 3.0 timing problem

Don't forget to connect the leads to the shift interupter together along with using a jumper to connect the leads comming off the dizzy to put into base timming mode! That is if it has the EST ignition and it's still operable ( stock).

 

[Don S]

Re: 98' mercruiser 3.0 timing problem

Think about his question guys, If it's not in base timing mode, the timing mark is going to be jumping around between 0? and 15? BTDC which is still on the timing pointer, just not steady. His mark has to be off 45? or more to be seen on the opposite side of the water pump.
If it's not running, then his timing light is not going to be working and he won't have any idea where the timing mark is and the motor won't run with the timing that far out.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 98' mercruiser 3.0 timing problem

Missed the left side ! He's gonna have to verify TDC w/ the #1 piston and go from there assuming the balancer is correct but I'm leanning toward the light being connected incorrectly? don't know what the outcome would be if that's the case never done it or seen it. It would be nice to see a pic of the motor in ?