Timeing marks,harmonic balancer

[galaxian]

O.k... I have a 1988, OMC 5.7L. I went to set the timing and there is no gauge. Not only that, but, my manual shows the #1 cylinder to be at 3:00 on the distributor in their drawing. The #1 wire is at 6:00 on the motor. Now, where the guage should be, the line on the harmonic balancer is no where in site on the port side of the motor at all... There is a line on the balancer that I found when the motor is not running. I've moved the distributor around and the best running place was rite where it was...So... Is it possible that the balancer can be set on the crank 180 degrees off, or can it only be put on 1 way only?... I guess that wouldn't solve the problem of the #1 position on the cap... What to do???.....

 

[mkast]

Re: Timeing marks,harmonic balancer

Balancer is "keyed" to the crankshaft, can only install one way.
The position of #1 plug wire on the distributor cap, it can be anywhere on the cap so long as the correct firing order is followed in the correct direction of rotation, with the engine set to top dead center, on the compression stroke.
My question, is the timing light on the number one plug wire?

 

[flargin]

Re: Timeing marks,harmonic balancer

If the distributor looks off to the diagrams, then you have a it stabbed differently.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Timeing marks,harmonic balancer

It really doesn't matter where #1 is on the distributor cap. In theory, you could just randomly install the distributor, pick a random starting point for #1(put the rest in the right order of course) and rotate the distributor whatever it needs for timing.

 

[galaxian]

Re: Timeing marks,harmonic balancer

The light is on the number 1 plug yes... Now, I've found a mark on the timing chain cover, it's just a slot type marker... No degrees,... but... Like I said, there is no sign of the mark on the balancer with the timing light. The motor actualy runs very well, it just has a slight miss here and there, I thought I could take it out by retiming it(since the previous owner never did a !@#@%*# thing for maintenance on the boat) So... Would the light not have to show up in the only location possible to see it on the whole motor if it's at all close???...

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Timeing marks,harmonic balancer

Get an advance timing light and use that to set the amrks together with the advance timing light set to the proper setting.

Make sure you set the dwell of your points before you time the engine(use a dwell meter).

 

[bustermin]

Re: Timeing marks,harmonic balancer

as stated in previous responses, it doesnt matter where the #1 wire is in relation to the distributor cap as long as you have the right firing order and timing. as far as the mark on the balancer, put the #1 cyl @ tdc, and find your tdc mark on the little bracket and make a mark on the balancer with a piece of chalk or soap stone, although from my experiance it is normally that the origonal mark is just filled with grease or dirt and hard to see. if you are getting a slight miss i doubt it is the timing, more likely a bad wire, plug, dist. rotor, and at worst it could be a worn valve spring/seat that is not sealing. dont get me wrong, it is possible for it to be a timing issue, and although i am new to boating i have been working on (mostly automotive engines, not a lot of experiance with outboards)engines for 38yrs and i seldom have seen that be the case.

 

[galaxian]

Re: Timeing marks,harmonic balancer

Thanks all... I have totaly tuned up the motor in every detail(except the timing, lol)... There are no points, it has a conversion kit. I do have a digital light, and I tried to advance it, maybe I didn't go far enough... I'll try it again in the morning... Thanks again...

 

[boatguya1]

Re: Timeing marks,harmonic balancer

If it is the wrong balancer for the timing chain cover or vice versa you could get this problem. Sounds like you may have a "v-notch" timing chain cover and a "timing scale" balancer.

James