1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

[tal]

I'm looking through my manual and don't see any information on this. Either I've overlooked it or I don't have this feature. Trying to check WOT timing by Joe Reeves style and I'm wondering if my engine has this. 1985 Johnson 120 - J120TLCOS

Manual calls for 22*. Currently, WOT timing is showing 10* I should be @ 18* if I have fast start, if not then I'm really far off. I'm going to check my TDC then check again.

Also, I don't have a spark tester, is that required for this method or just for checking spark?

Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

the spark tester is use to connect the circuit on the #1 plug wire, nothing else. no plugs in when doing this. i do not believe 1985 had fast start.

connect #1 wire to tester, then ground tester to the block. also make sure you are connect to the #1 plug wire.

 

[tal]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

Ok, I don't have a tester to complete the circuit on #1 wire but I do have my timing light on the #1 wire. I am holding the linkage fully open and the timing plate is hitting the stop. Assistant cranks and I get 10* (with plugs out, as instructed in Joe Reeves instructions).

I adjusted the stop out to the point where I am getting exactly 18* while cranking now. Each full turn took me 2* farther advanced. Is Joe Reeves timing method accurate? Has anyone used it on this style engine? If so, I was 8* off (if I have fast start) and 12* off (if I don't have fast start) on my WOT timing settings. This doesn't sound quite right especially considering the fact the engine is running well. Am I doing this right or what? Thanks for replying to my posts Tashasdaddy.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

using the shifter, shift to forward gear, wot throttle, turn key to on.
now, to turn the motor over, jump the incoming large post on the starter solenoid, to the small post with the yellow wire.

i use the spark tester, and a remote ignition switch, and do it alone. spend $20.00 at the auto parts store.

 

[nymack66]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

I can tell you this much, My 1987 140 V4 has NO fast start feature you mentioned.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

Don't believe my 1985 140hp has it.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

Quick Start was introduced in 1988. The 1985 loopers do not have it unless they have been fitted with 1988 & newer ignition. Also be aware that the 1985 V4 loopers ahe a bit different, ignition-wise, than the 86 & 87s.

 

[tal]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

Thanks for the replies guys. What I found is using Joe Reeves static timing instructions put me a little too far advanced. I had it at 18* using the plugs out cranking with a timing light method. I removed the roller from the starboard side carb to allow full advance to come in while the engine is idling. I engaged full advance and was reading 26*. So somehow running the engine gave more timing than cranking, fast start feature or not. I backed it down to 22* and triple checked it.

It still seems like the engine is idling too fast with everything setup correctly. None of my butterflies are stuck open and I can't idle it down because then it will cough and die at low idle speeds. It has been suggested that my magnet might have spun if I'm having to make drastic timing changes. If I get some lake time today I'll know for sure. I'm curious to see how the engine performs at WOT now since the timing was off.

 

[reeldutch]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

dont forget that you will have to verify that the timing is indeed set correctly .

using a Joe reeves method is only a starting point.
you will have to verify it and may be advance or retard it .
i do believe there is a difference of 4 degrees when its running in stead of cranking.
thats why you realy have to run it wide open and check the timing.
i leave all linkages the way it should be. put the boat on the trailer and strap it down. back it up on the launch ramp en run it wide open with a buddy on the throthle handle and ignition switch and you checking if its correct.
it will only take a minute to check it, no big deal.

why did you get into the timing?
what was the timing before you changed it?

 

[tal]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

I had initially starting playing with the idle timing, which apparently doesn't matter what that number is but it does affect the idle quality. So then I went to full advance timing. When I started checking it, Joe Reeves method, it turned out to be around 10* or so. Then the rest is in my last post.

When I got this motor it had been sitting for a long time. I took it off the old boat it came on and stuck it on my little skeeter bass boat. I redid carbs, thermostats, fuel lines, and even resealed the gearcase. The engine runs really well for the most part but I have recently figured out I wasn't getting full advance. I found (as noted in some of my other posts) that the timer base was actually sticking about 3/8" from WOT stop. I freed this up and it ran better but I'm still not getting full rpms I should be getting with the 21 pitch prop, gear ratio, and little boat the engine is mounted to. It runs plenty fast on the top end but I'm more concerned about the engine running correctly for longevity than speed at this point. Last weekend, after unsticking the timer base, I was running 67mph with 2 people lightly loaded. This is a 120hp on an SD80 skeeter bass boat. I'm only turning 5300-5400 rpms fully trimmed out and I should be pushing over 6k with the prop.

 

[reeldutch]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

basicly if the timing is were it should be fully advanced, and you have good compression, the fuel system is good, you have spark, i would say its getting all it can get.
to realy want to find out is get the right testwheel en look in the book what the max rpm with that testwheel is.
if it makes that rpm with the testwheel your good to go and need to reprop.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 1985 looper - "Fast start" feature?

remove your control throttle cable, adjust idle speed. then match cable to motor.