1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

[jsferra1]

Hello,

I have a 1998 5.7L merc gm 350 TB V the issue I have is I can not find the timing mark on the block All I see ( not much) is a small spot that has one V in it and on the balancer there is so much rust but I can see where there is a line that should be the timing mark but there is no place where I can see any number to set my timing which should be set to 10 btc and yse I did ground the pur/wht wire first.

I think there should be some numbers for tdc and 10 btc but I can not find it any where.

Any one have any ideas

Jim ......

 

[joseph.signore]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

I had the same problem with my 1991 5.7. I went to Auto Zone and got a new one for $3.99. All you need to do is remove two bolts from the timming cover an replace.

Good Luck...

 

[joseph.signore]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

Also, forgot to mention that you will need to know the size of your harmonic balancer (7 or 8") before buying.

 

[jsferra1]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

Hello,


Ok I have called the auto parts store around me and no has the timing pointer. So now it looks like I may have to do this kind of blind . This is what happened and why I need to find TDC and do the timing.

when I got the boat I was told that the timing was set but it was set using the wrong settings they used a 1997 book I think and not a 1998 I have a 5.7L 2brl 1998 Merc .

So I put new plugs in and wanted to replace the cap and all so I went to take the cap off but no, I had one screw I could not get off so I had to pull the dist. Yeah I could just keep the old cap that was on there but I was thinking I would be better to change it now so I know when it was done. So I had to pull the Dist and I did and I did get the screw out. Now I need to put it back in and I need to find TDC first.

If you have any ideas Pls. let me know

Thanks Jim .. .

 

[Don S]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

That single line is your timing mark. It is 0? TDC.
You can't get the timing pointers for the newer style blocks that have the composite timing chain cover like you do.
Best thing to do is get an advance timing gun. You can set the gun at 8? (or whatever) and set the marks on the balancer and timing cover to 0, and you will actually have 8? BTDC. Same with advance timing. Run the engine up to rpm and adjust the gun to zero the lines.
Merc also makes a decal you can put on the harmonic balancer. Might check with your local Mercruiser dealer to get one.

 

[jsferra1]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

Don,

Thanks for the info the only mark that I can tell is there, is under the water pump, and is real hard to find it is kinda of like a ridge about one inch. long and has a notch in it.


If that is it then doing the timing will be real fun while running since you will need to have your head way down next to the belt.

Jim ...

 

[Don S]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

Yes, the boat manufacturers have made it all but impossible to do basic maintenance on boats, and it getting harder every year.

 

[jsferra1]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

Don,


Thank you for that pic, that is what I have I went out with my phone and click a pic of it.

Don where did you find that pic?

I have a 1998 5.7L and what I think is an Alph 1 gen 2
S/N engine: 0K275566
S/N drive: 0L102194

where can I have some good books, I do have the Seloc book and wonder if there is one better.

Thank you !!!!!

Jim ...

 

[Don S]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

I got that picture from a Volvo manual. Mercruiser doesn't show very good pictures of it.
You can download the manuals for your engine and drive at the links below. NOTE: you do NOT have a 98 model engine. You have a 97 model, boat years and engine years don't always match
ENGINE MANUAL #17
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/17/17cov2r2.pdf

DRIVE MANUAL #14
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

When I tried to time the 1983 5.0 I'm putting into my boat, I couldn't find any timing marks on the damper, and I had too many notches on the timing cover. I figured the deepest notch on the cover was the once to use and, after I set number 1 cylinder on TDC, I had to emery cloth the entire damper area until I found some markings. I had to shine a trouble light at "just the right angle" to see the markings. I used a triangular file to re-notch them and then marked them with white paint. I sketched them in my service manual so I'd be able, in the future, to tell the 0, 8, and 10 degree markings. What a PITA. Luckily, the engine's in the garage, on a dolly. I's hate to have to have done that down in the bilge. Thank you Mercruiser and GM. Hy

 

[jsferra1]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

Don,

many many thanks for your help, I know I will be back. Like when I need to replace my trim sending units the one the drive is missing the wires there just hanging some one pulled them off. It will be fun having to pull the drive just to replace the sending units.



Jim ....

 

[jsferra1]

Re: 1998 Merc 5.7L TB V can not find the timming mark

I was able to get out and work on the timming and I got it set, but I think some one has changed things on this 5.7 . In looking at the book it has the anti knock unit on the dist but looking at mine it's not there.

Also when I remove the ground wire (pur/wht to take it out of base mode) and start it back up I was thinking I would see the RPM's change but they stay the same. I still have an issue where the RPM's change go up and down by 1 or 2 and when I slow down fast some times it stalls, so that could be the carb.


But I wanted to say thanks.