Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

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SeattleMatt

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Hello,

I am trying to set the base timing on my Mercruiser 3.0L. Following the instructions below I am having trouble with step 4B. I don't quite understand what they mean here. It looks like the same color wire comes out of the distributor and goes to the shift interrupt switch. I can disconnect that, but what do I join it to?

Thanks in advance.

3.0L Models Only

1. Connect timing light (91-99379 or similar) to No. 1 spark plug wire. Connect power supply leads on light to 12 volt battery. Refer to Specifications ? ?Engine Rotation and Firing Order,? for cylinder numbering and location.

2. Connect a shop tachometer to engine.

NOTE: Before starting engine make sure the timing tab and mark on damper are clean. Chalk or white paint on timing mark on damper may help visibility.

3. Install a jumper wire between the two WHITE leads on the distributor. Use Quicksilver 91-818812A1, or fabricate a jumper wire using a 6 in. (150 mm) section of 16 gauge wire with two male bullet terminal ends connected.

4. Bypass the shift interrupt switch, as follows:

A Disconnect wires at shift interrupt switch.

B Temporarily join the engine harness wires together.

IMPORTANT: Do not fail to reconnect these two wires to the shift interrupt switch when timing procedures are complete.

5. Start engine and run at normal idle speed.

6. Aim timing light at timing tab, located on the timing gear cover and crankshaft torsional damper. Check the timing. Refer to ?Specifications?.

7. Adjust timing by loosening distributor clamp and rotating distributor body as required until timing mark on damper or pulley lines up with the mark on tab specified in ?Specifications.? Tighten clamp and recheck location of timing mark.

8. Aim timing light at timing tab and recheck location of timing mark. Repeat Step 7 until timing is correct.

9. Stop the engine. Torque distributor hold down bolt to 20 lb. ft. (27 N.m).

10. Reconnect the two wires to the shift interrupt switch.

IMPORTANT: Be sure to remove jumper wire before returning engine to service, otherwise timing will not advance.
11. Remove jumper wire at distributor white leads.

12. With timing light still connected, start the engine and run at IDLE. Verify that timing did advance to 12o BTDC, plus or minus 2o. At 2400-2800 RPM maximum (total) advance is obtained and should be 27o BTDC (plus or minus 2o).

13. Stop the engine and remove the timing light.
 

Gary H NC

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

To bypass the switch just connect the 2 wires together.
 

SeattleMatt

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

I connected the two white wires together coming out of the distributor. So I also connect two other wires together, but i'm not sure where the other end should be connected.
 

Gary H NC

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

Its just joining the 2 wires from the interupt switch together.That will bypass the switch.No need to connect them to anything else.
 

SeattleMatt

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

ok, i see. so i just need to make a jumper to bypass the switch then?

It doesn't seem like bypassing the switch this way would make any difference electrically. Is that what the switch effectively does, change the timing to base timing for a second during shifing?

should the timing change from +12 to -1 (base timing) when i do this?

jumping the white wires doesn't change the timing.
 

SeattleMatt

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

Well I must be challenged because I can't figure this out. Jumping the wires between the interrupt switch just kills the motor as I suspected.

What color are the wires that need to be jumped?
 

myoldboat2

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

i have an older mercruiser 140, same engine but older. when i set the timing i don't remember messing with the shift interrupt switch at all. set my timing just fine, really improved things.
 

Rocky_Road

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

Well I must be challenged because I can't figure this out. Jumping the wires between the interrupt switch just kills the motor as I suspected.

What color are the wires that need to be jumped?

I have a pair of wires that cross over the valve cover...and plug into the two wires coming from the switch.

You unplug these two wires...and then plug the ends that come over the valve cover, into each other (one has a male end, and the second wire has a female end). The two wires coming from the switch are not used when setting the timing, and just lay there (not plugged into each other, or anything for that matter).

When you connect the ends of the wires over the valve cover, your RPM's will noticeably change!
 

Fun Times

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

Because when you put it in base timing mode you stablized the timing to it lowest point at what ever it is set at right now and that will change your rpm, If you really think your timing is way off at idle right now then that may be the reason why it is stalling when you hook up the wires, Because the timing is so far off the idle speed adjustment might be out also, [Set to low] that is why it might be stalling on you. I see A few ways to check this, One is to start the engine and do step #12 right now and check and adjust it to 27 degrees total, At I would go to 2800rpms out of gear, And then go see what the idle is and adjust as needed to specks, And see if the timing came down at idle to the 12* Then plug the wires in and see if it will idle and see if the base is where it should be at, And adjust as needed, But More then likely if every thing is working right it will be right on and you will be done.Good luck with it:).
 

fishrdan

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

Your are missing an important piece of information,,, what year and type of ignition? There were 3 types of ignition used (if I'm not mistaken) on the 3.0L&120/140 engines; points, EST and I think some kind of distributorless ignition system.

They use different timing procedures...
 

Fun Times

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

Your are missing an important piece of information,,, what year and type of ignition? There were 3 types of ignition used (if I'm not mistaken) on the 3.0L&120/140 engines; points, EST and I think some kind of distributorless ignition system.

They use different timing procedures...
You are right, and I almost asked this myself last night.
Does your distributor electronic controll module look any thing like what is in this link?http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=271407 [FYI] This link is an exampel only to show a photo of the distributor electronic controll module, Do not do the steps in this link IT WILL NOT WORK ON YOUR ENGINE, And could hurt you engine.
 

Rocky_Road

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Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Base Timing

You are right, and I almost asked this myself last night.
Does your distributor electronic controll module look any thing like what is in this link?http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=271407 [FYI] This link is an exampel only to show a photo of the distributor electronic controll module, Do not do the steps in this link IT WILL NOT WORK ON YOUR ENGINE, And could hurt you engine.

The original post listed all of the steps for timing a 3.0L EST engine...that is what we have been addressing in our answers.

I hope that the original poster responds to this...!
 
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