New Engine Timing

[little joee]

A quick question for the the gear heads. Do I need to adjust my new engine to the original engine's timing?

Background:
The original engine in my boat was timed at 1 degree BTDC, this engine freeze cracked last year and I replaced it with a new factory engine. The new engine came with a distributor and is timed at 2 degrees ATDC. I've kept the engine at that timing as the repair manual also specifies the same timing for engines with later serial numbers.

The engine runs excellent at this timing, but I want to be sure it's running at it's best!

 

[dubs283]

Re: New Engine Timing

with electonic ignition there is a sequence of steps to set the ignition in "service mode" - do you know how to set it??

2 degrees ATDC is the timing spec for current production mercruiser 3.0 liter engines - was there any paperwork with the new engine that specifies timing, idle, etc..??

 

[Don S]

Re: New Engine Timing

Mercruiser changed the timing due to problems of blown head gaskets. Stick with what your new engine should have.

 

[little joee]

Re: New Engine Timing

Yes, I followed the manual to the "T" for putting the ignition into "service" mode for the tuning. The engine also had a yellow mark on the 2 degree marker next to the pulley.

There was no additional paperwork on the engine that I recieved. After we timed it and had it out on the water it was idling 700/800 rpm easy and had plenty of power.