No test wheel, any tricks?

koolerb

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Oct 22, 2005
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I need to retard my max advance ignition timing 2 deg. Engine is a 1992, 60hp, three cylinder Johnson. May have to go to marina on this one. Any tricks out there to get this done in the driveway?
 

JB

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Re: No test wheel, any tricks?

Johnson Trouble.
 

KYHunter2

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Mar 20, 2006
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Re: No test wheel, any tricks?

Joe reeves , has a method that works well. Not sure if it applies to your motor though. Basically, you rig a spark tester / ground all the plugs. Hold/tie it at max advance, turn it over and set it. You have to be sure the plugs are grounded or you can damage electronics. This will get you real close.<br /> You still have to check it, under a average load at WOT. Also, be sure ,this will work allright, with your motor. You can do it on a trailer, properly tied off, vehicle in park .<br /> Good-Luck,<br /> KYHunter
 

OBJ

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Re: No test wheel, any tricks?

Here is Joe's method. It works. I've used it a lot of times.<br /><br />(Timing At Cranking Speed 4°)<br />(J. Reeves)<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 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 />I don't know the full spark advance setting your engine calls for, but to pick a figure, say your engine calls for 28°, set the timing at 24°. 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 />Be sure to use your own engines spark advance settings, not the one I picked out of the air here in my notes.<br /><br />Koolerb....just make sure you read and understand the procedure. Have any questions, just post them here.
 

h_lankford

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Re: No test wheel, any tricks?

whoa there. not quite enough details. need to remove plugs and ground as stated, but additionally.....perhaps someone will find a link to this topic, but I remember it and plan to do it soon on my 86 Johnson 60 rebuild. .I THINK this is correct. Hope an expert will chime in:<br /><br />also disconnect link that connects spark advance lever to timer base under flywheel. that way, if every thing else is connected up you can leave the throttle in neutral position so you can crank and at same time manually advance the timer base all the way to the stop and tie it there. So you will end up with max advance as you crank the engine at only 300 rpm instead of running it at 5000 with a test wheel. (actually the reading will be 4 degrees LESS than full advance because the electronics have a 4 degree automatic retard at cranking speed I believe. A very important detail)<br /><br />or....if you really know you need 2 degrees less advance, why not do what the manual says: about 1 turn of the advance stop screw is worth about 1 degree. Obviously go in the correct direction.<br /><br />I hope an expert will confirm the above info.<br />Harvey
 

OBJ

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Dec 27, 2002
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Re: No test wheel, any tricks?

Don't really think you want to disconnect the timer base linkage. Just disconnect the shift cable from the engine and use the throttle to help hold the engine linkage in the WOT position. May have to fudge the throttle cable a little to keep the linkage in the WOT postion against the timimg stop.
 

KYHunter2

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Mar 20, 2006
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Re: No test wheel, any tricks?

Sorry , I was not detailed enough . That'll teach me to assume. LOL . Figured someone would bring up the whole deal for ya ,I dont know how, or if Im allowed.<br /> KYHunter
 

KYHunter2

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Re: No test wheel, any tricks?

OBJ , Just did! Its not as difficult as it may sound. Alot easier to do then to read.<br /> KYHunter :)
 

ketron47

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Oct 15, 2004
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Re: No test wheel, any tricks?

"the full spark timer advance stop screw": Is there anyway of checking to ensure this screw is set correctly before continuing?
 

OBJ

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Dec 27, 2002
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Re: No test wheel, any tricks?

Nope. You either got to put the rig in the water and time it or use Joe's method. <br /><br />Another tip on Joe's method, make sure your battery is top notch and fully charged.
 

koolerb

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Oct 22, 2005
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Re: No test wheel, any tricks?

That's a lot more info than I expected on this one. Thanks for the help guys.
 
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