On 10/31/02 in a post on Evinrude Timing Questions from rudeafrican, you gave us a procedure for setting timing without having the engine running. You said:<br /><br />"You can also time or check the timing of the engine without having it running as follows:<br /><br />(Timing At Cranking Speed 4°)<br /><br />The full spark advance can be adjusted without have the engine running at near full throttle as follows. <br /><br />To set the timing on that engine, have the s/plugs out, and have the throttle at full, set that timer base under the flywheel tight against the rubber stop on the end of the full spark timer advance stop screw (wire it against that stop if necessary). <br /><br />Rig a spark tester and have the spark gap set to 7/16". Hook up the timing light to the #1 plug wire. Crank the engine over and set the spark advance to 4° less than what the engine calls for. <br /><br />Your engine calls for 19°, set the timing at 15°. The reasoning for the 4° difference is that when the engine is actually running, due to the nature of the solid state ignition componets, the engine gains the extra 4°. <br /><br />If you set the engine to its true setting at cranking speed, when running it will advance beyond its limit by 4° which will set up pre-ignition causing guaranteed piston damage! You don't want that to take place. <br /><br />No need to be concerned about the idle timing as that will take care of itself. The main concern is the full advance setting."<br /><br />I want to try this on my 1988 OMC 1.6 L Seadrives. I set it up as you described tonight but the engine would not crank. I realized that it was due to the throttle being set to full which would prevent the starter from engageing due to the neutral start switch. How do you get around this or did I miss something?<br /><br />Also while I have a Claymer manual and an OMC manual for a 1979 140, neither show the universal joint assembly for the throttle that is on my motors as they are Seadrives (this assembly looks mickey mouse to me). I am not sure what the spark timer advance stop screw is. Wish I had a digital camera.
