Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

[AKBASSKING]

Hey Everyone,

I was referred to this site from Club Sea Ray, so I am new here.

Issue: Went to adjust timing on my 1986 Sea Ray stbd engine. There is no timing plate/tab on the time cover. Could the timing mark be on the flywheel? Point, shoot, adjust?

Engine: 260hp, 5.7 GM 350. Thunderbolt Ignition. Engine Serial no. A514643

I have read the adults only section.

Thanks for your help-Tom

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

Out of Mercruiser Manual #9: timing at 8' BTDC. Seems like there should be a tab there according to the book, and that's how any SBC I've owned was done.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

Should be a tab. If not you will have to put on a new cover...

 

[Don S]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

If the tab rusted off, it's possible to replace just the tab. I know NAPA sells them, and you can get several different styles from speed shops.
Just measure the OD of the vibration dampner and tell the parts guy you need a timing tab for a SBC with an X" vibration dampner.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

I was just at Auto Zone and seen exactly what Don was talking about. You have to verify that #1 is at TDC by using a rod in the spark plug hole.(doesn't matter if its compression or not) Then install the new tab with the "0" right at the mark on the harmonic balancer.

 

[45Auto]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

The timing tabs use two of the existing bolts on the timing cover to hold them on. It's probably a good idea to confirm TDC, but on the ones I've used they have always been right on and there is no adjustment.

I guess you could bend the crap out of it to try to move the marks, but if you buy the correct tab for your harmonic balancer diameter, there should be no need.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

I don't remember it's been a while, if there are more than one possible location for the bolt on tab to fit, or if there is only one location it will work.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

The one I saw today was just a pointer that one of the timing cover bolts held on and some timing tape. So the numbers go on the H.B. and the pointer just was the "0"(TDC) mark. I haven't seen what You guys are talking about before...

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

Here is a link to Jegs, for bolt on timing tab, depending on the diameter of the balancer.

http://www.jegs.com/p/JEGS/JEGS-Chrome-Timing-Tab-with-Adjustable-Pointer/1281863/10002/-1

Don't know how long chrome will hold up to salt. Maybe other companies have a more resistant finish?

 

[AKBASSKING]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

Well this surprised me.

The timing pointer is under a rubber plug in the bell housing! I also found referance to it in the engine section of my owner's manual.

Problem: After attaching a timing light, I see a bunch of teeth, but no timing marks. Do I set it to a specific set of teeth?

I will up load the page out of my manual tomorrow. Attached is a picture of the pointer.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

Never seen that one before. Do you have a timing mark on the front balancer? If there is a mark on the flywheel somewhere it would be inline with the balancer mark.

 

[Don S]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

You have an inboard, not a sterndrive engine.

 

[AKBASSKING]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

You have an inboard, not a sterndrive engine.

Opps, Yes V-drive. My sincere apologies for not mentioning that.......

 

[AKBASSKING]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

I tried to post the page out of my manual, but the PDF file is too big.

Has anyone set the timing on this type of engine?

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

You have the manual. Do what it says...

 

[AKBASSKING]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

You have the manual. Do what it says...

All it shows is where to point the light and it says to adjust timing to specifications.

 

[AKBASSKING]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

Yesterday I paid a visit to the local Sea Ray dealer in Portland OR. I went to the service desk and asked to talk to a mechanic and explained why. The guy behind the desk got real "upity" with me. He stated I could trailer the boat in and his mechanic could set the timing at shop rates or I could dock it, do a lift and they could work on it. This type of customer service took me by surprise! I stated all I want was an explanation on how to find the timing marks! He was not going to allow me to talk to the engine mechanic.

As I walked out I stated if I were to buy a new Sea Ray, it would not come from this dealership! Man.....

Well, last night I hooked up a remote starter button and removed the distributor cap while noting the position of #1. Bumped it over to #1 firing position.

I then took a mirror and looked done in the hole on the flywheel to find the timing marks. This was difficult because of the engine heat exchanger right above it.

Nothing that I could see anyway. After about an hour, I put it all back together and set the timing by ear.

Runs good throughout the RPM ranges and starts on the first bump of the key. I also found out my old SR Teleflex RPM gage in the cabin are off by about 300RPMs while the new Faria are dead on. So it looks like a panel replacement in the future.

On to the next engine. Still wish I could find the timing marks.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

Have you tried pointing the timing light in there while the engine is running? You never know something might show up.

What # manual are you using?

There still should be a mark on your harmonic balancer. You can install one of the kits mentioned above and set it that way...

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

Have you tried pointing the timing light in there while the engine is running? You never know something might show up.

That would seem to me to be the easiest solution.

My 56 with a 235 (the car in my avatar) had a similar set up. The mark was on the flywheel. If that's where the tab is, there has to be a mark of some sort.

 

[AKBASSKING]

Re: Location of MerCrusier Timing Marks

Yep pointed the light several times. Nothing. I am going to double check it tonight and use a vacum gage to set it like I use to do.

No markings on the balancer. I will have to look at the book when I get home to tell you the number.