Timing with no timing pointer!

[westjr8]

1982 70HP Mercury
3 Cylinder 2 Stroke
SN 6230127

I finally finished the rebuild of my motor and it came together nicely. During the process of tear-down, i removed the fly-wheel, bad decision I know. I need to time the engine now and there is no timing pointer, or markings on the cowl. Can anyone point me in the direction of how to time my engine? Thanks in advance.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

are there markings on the flywheel and you will need to replace the pointer for specific timing?

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

if you have markings on the flywheel heres how to set the flywheel take out the #1 Cylinder remove all spark plug wires (Saftey so engine does not fire up) look inside the number 1 cylinder turn the engine until the cylinder is at the very top of the cylinder on a 2 stroke 4 stroke you must be sure your on the comprssion stroke ( You will feel alot of pressure when cylinder is comig up to the top ) when you get it to the top this is known as TDC (Top Dead Center) put the 0 on the flywheel exactly where the pointer would be if it was there. If no marking on the flywheel make one right where the pointer would be replace the wires and plug. The flywheel is now set. The firing of the cylinder occurs after TDC this is the amount the flywheel turns before ignition and timing is set at it,s proper advance setiing

 

[westjr8]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

I am not sure where the pointer would be. I cannot find the pointer in the blow out diagrams or in my seloc. I have the following markings on my flywheel: "max spark, 0, 464." can anybody tell me where my pointer should be?

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

There should be hold down bolts pr holes for screws for the pointer. If it broke off there still may be part of the point still there why it would be removed is beyond me. I believe it should be located on the left side of the rear of the engine just off the flywheel but not sure

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

View attachment 90279I felt bad for you so I got off my butt and tore my engine apart to take a photo of my engine might not be exactly like yours being a 70 3 cyl mines a 40 hp 2 cy but should give you an idea on what to look for hope it helps youView attachment 90278

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

View attachment 90280

 

[j_martin]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

You can do it with a paper clip. If there's no convenient bolt hole, use duct tape.

 

[westjr8]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

I know what a timing pointer is supposed to look like, but there are no broken pieces left behind for me to determine where it went. Martin, the problem is I just dont know where to put the paper clip...

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

put it at TDC

 

[westjr8]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

put it at TDC

and then?

 

[j_martin]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

Tag team here.

Put #1 at TDC as close as you can guess it with a screwdriver in the spark plug hole. Put the timer at 0? on the flywheel markings. If you took the flywheel apart at the flex plate, you may have to pull the bolts and turn it to match. Then go to the book and do the formal linkage and timing adjustment for your engine, one step of which will be to precisely locate the timing pointer.

Is there a flywheel cover missing with the pointer in it?

 

[westjr8]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

I know the simple steps of timing an engine. My only issue is I have no pointer. I have the fly wheel cover, but I do not see a timing pointer on it. I cannot find in my manual where exactly the timing pointer is supposed to be.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

Top Dead Center is where your paper clip goes when the cylinder and fly wheel as i explained in painful definition is 0 on the flywheel .Top Dead Center of the stroke of the engine on the power stroke re read the description on how to set the flywheel at TDC when you have the cylinder TDC of the cycle then that is where you mark the flywheel for the pointer (paper clip) I give up sorry i spent all day here and i,m beat red instructions the read again once you set TDC put your paperclip the 0 set TDC mark then time your engine from the PAPERCLIP

 

[westjr8]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

So what your trying to say is... As long as i know where the 0 mark is when #1 is at TDC, i can time the engine?

The reason I ask this is because if i unscrew the bolts at the top of the fly wheel and rotate them all one hole over, the 0 mark will move. I hope im making sense.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

yes thats why you want to absolutely know your flywheel is in line with #1 TDC that will give you the 0 TDC then you mark and time from that point. sorry i,m beat been helping as much as i can most of the day with many many posters have a great night

 

[ebrich2]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

hey dude martin knows his stuff, he'll guide you in the right direction.
and you need to burn that seloc manual!

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

thanks J help this man out

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

Look inside the cowling packet where pull rope is stored. This is where the timing pointer is stored and it is a little plastic black arm that snaps into a 1/2" slot on top of block at the 4 o'clock position looking straight down on flywheel. Hopefully former mechanic's put it back in packet. All the early 3 cylinders had this removeable pointer.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Timing with no timing pointer!

Finally someone that can actually identify this engine in a well lit room comes to the rescue.