Possible timing issue?

[chesney1603]

A little background: I am currently working on a 1989 Johnson TJ150SLCEM. Being that it is 28 years old and noticing some leaks I thought it would be time to change out all the gaskets, run new fuel lines, change out the plug wires and plugs, rebuild the carbs, and eliminate the oil injection system. None of this really bothers me as far as skill level goes, what I'm not real comfortable with is timing. I don't fully understand it. After removing the piston covers I gave the flywheel a spin so I could look at all six cylinder walls.

My question is.... with the piston covers off and I spin the flywheel does this mess up the timing?

 

[daselbee]

No
Are you talking about the HEADS? Either way, NO.

 

[chesney1603]

Yes HEADS.
Cool...Thanks for the response.

 

[racerone]

Timing is fixed by the flywheel key.-----Timing does not go out of adjustment on it's own for the life of the motor.------you can turn the flywheel all day long and timing does not change.----Post pictures of the top of each piston if you like.

 

[daselbee]

Let me elaborate on mr Racer's comment. IGNITION timing is fixed by the position of the flywheel relative to the crankshaft. That position is FIXED by the flywheel key.
There is really no mechanical timing associated with a 2 stroke outboard. (For this discussion anyway.) No timing chain, no valves, etc.

So turning the crank, which moves the pistons by a fixed connection to the crankshaft, cannot change the mechanical timing of the engine in any way.

You spoke of piston covers.....immediately thought of the bypass covers...so therefore the required clarification...was it heads or bypass covers...and no matter, the answer is still NO.

Now. if you have a failure that shifts the flywheel position on the crankshaft...yes, then the IGNITION timing will be wrong.

 

[chesney1603]

What I have pulled off are the cylinder head covers and the cylinder heads. As well as the exhaust cover. Spent all day cleaning off the stuck on 28 year old crumbling gaskets. Next I will be pulling off the bypass covers. Then on to the carbs and intake manifold. .
I read on here somewhere that a guy asked about applying gasket sealer when putting on new gaskets. He said his repair book said to apply it, but the gaskets had written on them "do not use sealer". The gasket set I bought does not say anything about using, or not using sealer. My repair book will be arriving today in the mail. I might be ready to put her back together before the mail arrives.

Should I use gasket sealer?

By the way..Thank you all for taking the time to help me out. I really appreciate it.

 

[racerone]

I can see / know that the cylinder heads are warped.--You need to make sure they are refinished and flat again.-----Manual has the fine details on how to do that.

 

[chesney1603]

Cylinder heads are being taken care of.
Still unsure about using gasket sealer. Should I? Should I not?

 

[boobie]

If it says " use no sealer " Don't. Other wise, use it.