a differant way of timing wide open on outboard

[the gman]

A few years ago I had a dealership Link and Synk my outboard and the guy checked timing at idle and then with the timing lever disconnected, with the Outboard idling, moved the timing lever to max. advanced to check max timing. This is similar to the reeves timing but I dont think he took into account the 4 degree differance. Is this differance only for a non-running motor or is the 4 degrees for wide open. For me it is easier to time with the motor running but I don't know if I should set the timing minus the 4 degree's for idle or set it at the reccomended 28 degrees. This is a 89 110 rude..,Thanks

 

[durban]

Re: a differant way of timing wide open on outboard

I do my timing your way , it saves me using up my power in battery , & it all depends on the strenghth of your battery if you do it the other way because the faster the flywheel turns the more consistant the light . i disconnect the carb linkage , i have found that if you have any play what so ever in the timer base linkage it does very by a few degrees because every time the line in the inner diameter of the flywheel comes to the sensor in the timer base it gives of a pulse if there is play it does not always release the pulse on the same spot , i set mine bang on providing the timer base has no play in the links like joe says the idle timing sorts it self out

 

[daselbee]

Re: a differant way of timing wide open on outboard

I do it like you are describing, also.
I set it exactly on the spec timing...in my case it is 18*BTDC for the late 90s V6 loopers.

I used to double check it at speed on the water hanging off the back with a timing light....but I found it unnecessary to keep doing that.

 

[durban]

Re: a differant way of timing wide open on outboard

I do it like you are describing, also.
I set it exactly on the spec timing...in my case it is 18*BTDC for the late 90s V6 loopers.

I used to double check it at speed on the water hanging off the back with a timing light....but I found it unnecessary to keep doing that.

you are a very brave man for doing that , the little boat i bought iam gonna modify so if my motor gives any trouble i can strip it then & there on the water without hanging over the back , this is gonna be my next experiment

 

[Sureshot]

Re: a differant way of timing wide open on outboard

I'm intrigued by this method. When you say timing lever disconnected, are you referring to disconnecting the linkage b/w the timing advance and the carb plates?

 

[daselbee]

Re: a differant way of timing wide open on outboard

Don't know if you are asking the OP or me.....but I will jump in and describe it a bit more.

Basically, you have to remember that the timing is strictly mechanical on these older OMC engines. As the timer base rotates around and eventually hits the rubber stop, that is a strictly mechanical adjustment.

So, you find the linkage piece (usually one rod) that you can disconnect and allow the timer base to be moved freely, no linkage involved. I attach a coat hanger wire to the now free moving TB arm, I make absolutely sure that the throttle butterflies CANNOT OPEN UP. That is critical. I leave the throttle handle in neutral.
Then I start the engine, point the timing light, and rotate the TB manually around to the stop. The engine will race up significantly, so you must absolutely NOT allow the throttle butterflies to open at all. You don't want to give the engine any gas to run away with.

Read the timing with the TB against the stop, stop engine, adjust as necessary, and repeat to read the new timing setting. Adjust as necessary to obtain spec.

It takes me about 3 minutes to set the 90's era V6 loopers that I work on. I have also used this method on Force engines, so it is kinda universal.

Now, there are engines that this will NOT work on. I have never tried it with any optical ignition system, it won't work on the newer Fichts or ETecs. And there are some designs of the linkage that will not allow the disconnection of the TB from the linkage. Don't remember the particulars on that model...you just have to study your setup, and find out if the TB can be disconnected as I describe.