F40BMHDL Ignition timing check and adjustment

[I.Ioannidis]

I have used this engine from new for the first time this summer only for about 20hours and want to check and maybe adjust the timing according to the service maintenance schedule. <br />Because local mechanics gave me the impression they were not comfortable with touching the ignition of a perfectly well functioning engine I am turning to your good advice guys.<br />I bought a service manual on CD and it does not say anything about how to check the ignition timing of this engine besides that it should be BTDC 5-28. <br />Does this mean 5 advance at idle and 28 total?<br /><br />Can you measure these degrees with a simple timing light if you don't have an expensive advance one? <br /><br />Are there any notches you are trying to get to line up?<br /><br /> At what revs do you check the total advance? and should this be while you are running the boat? <br /><br />Do outboards have idle, vacuum and mechanical advance? <br /><br />If you find the readings to be out from what they should be how do you adjust them?<br /><br />Too many question maybe but I would appreciate any help you can give me.