Help with motor timing

[Ar-Okie]

Hello and Thanks for all the great info on this site. Its my first post but I have utilized a lot of information from here to answer my boat maint. questions. I've searched the forum for a few days now but cannot find a direct answer to my question. I have a 1996 120HP Force (Mercury Made). Last summer I had issues with my motor that ended up being the reed plates. After replacing them and adjusting the linkage to my Carbs I believe I have gotten my Motor out of time. The motor starts easy and will Idle fine but runs like crap when in gear and under a load. I cannot find the Neutral Safety switch on my motor anywhere. It isn't under my Carb linkage or near my solenoid. I'm wondering if my safety switch would be in my shift lever housing and is it possible to set my timing without bypassing the safety switch at all? I have not taken the shift housing apart yet and would rather not if it isn't necessary. If someone could confirm this I would sure appreciate it. Thanks again for all of the information.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Help with motor timing

1996 used mercury ignition and mercury controls. The neutral safety interlock is inside the control box, built-in.

If you replaced reeds and adjusted carb linkage, why do you think you put the timing out of adjustment? That is a separate linkage at the top of the timing tower, between the tower and trigger.

Yes, you can set timing without bypassing the interlock. Remove all four plugs and ground them, then put the timing light on the top plug wire. Turn the key on. Crank the engine with the control handle in wide open throttle by using a jumper switch at the start solenoid. Set timing to specifications listed for cranking speed--it is generally different than running.

Check compression ratio on all four cylinders and check that all four cylinders are getting spark--these engines can start and can seem to idle well with one or two dead cylinders.

 

[Ar-Okie]

Re: Help with motor timing

Thank you for the reply. I adjusted the screw on the timing linkage when I found the locking nut was loose and had backed off. I thought I could tell where the threads used to be and got it as close as I could then tightened it back down. It was running rough last spring and I was getting what looked like moisture on my plugs. After changing the head gasket and exhaust plate gasket, I found it was caused by the broken reeds. When you say remote start do mean cross start the Starter solenoid?

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Help with motor timing

Yes, There is a remote starter switch you can buy at almost any auto store. You put one clip on the big red terminal from battery and the other on the small yellow terminal of the solenoid, or whatever color terminal the Mercury wiring uses. You will see the other small terminal goes to ground. Don't use that as it will be a direct short. Pressing the switch has the same effect as turning the key to start.

Since you have Mercury ignition, I believe the timing info is etched right on the flywheel.