'72 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

WoodOnWater

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
28
I have just gotten a long term project on the water. An 18.5' mahogany runabout that I have redesigned and built from the ground(water?) up. It's not done, but I was able to get it on the water for some "sea" trials.

IMG_1863.jpg

Also a hole shot at this link, post #74.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-building/putting-all-together-15377-8.html#post588473

In the two hours that we ran it that day, I think we used about 5 gallons of gas. The top end operation appears to be normal, but I think it's running rich at low power settings. I cleaned the plugs before going out and they were not worn at all either. With the two hours of engine operation, I got some minor black, oily deposits. Also, during test "muff" runs, I did a fuel cut-off test to run the gas out of the carbs. As the gas was starting to run out, I got a considerable RPM increase as the mixture started leaning out. A little is normal, but I felt this was substantial.

I'm looking to check timing and set mixtures for the next set of runs. I'm planning to do the Link n Sync that Clams Canino has posted and I will include it at the end of my post for reference.

My biggest question is, How do get into the engine to observe throttle opening, observe the stops and adjust the mixture screws per Clams Canino? It appears that the forward panel(?) (with the cowlings already removed) on the engine needs to be removed, but that adds considerable complications with mutiple adjustments. Admittedly, I am new to outboards, but I am no stranger to engines.

I'm sure some will suggest the OEM maintenance/service manual. I'm willing to go that route. Does anyone have a link to a downloadable manual? Free (not likely) or otherwise.

Here is the cut and paste of the Clams Canino procedure.

======================================================================

This is the link and sync procedure, courtesy of Clams Cannino.


Manual specs are different for each but this is close enough to get them all REAL close. This assumes nothing is broken or "wrong" with it. This also assumes that the timing pointer is properly adjusted (if adjustable) to accurately read TDC of the #1 piston.

This basic procedure will work for all the 2/3/4/6 cylinder inlines from 1960 to 1988. It's not for the newer 3 and 4 cylinder loopers.

Engine off

Disconnect throttle cable

Pull throttle arm to full throttle and verify carbs open fully. Adjust main throttle stop so that the carbs are JUST hitting their own little throttle stops. The idea here is that you want the screw stop and NOT the carbs acting as the "final stop" for your throttle lever.

Return the throttle to idle, carbs should be closed. Set all idle screws to 1 3/4 turns out from lightly seated.

Remove all plugs except #1, hook a timing light to #1. Then follow the narrative.

When the throttle is in the idle position the carbs should be fully closed and the ignition retarded. It is the amount of retardation that determines your idle speed and is set later with the idle stop screw.

Timing Event One - throttle pickup.
As the throttle is advanced, the spark timing advances toward TDC and then to before TDC. As the timing is just passing TDC the 1st (minor) throttle pickup should hit and start to open the carbs. Use the timing light. Adjust the tang or trigger screw to make this a reality. All of them are speced different, but if the 1st pickup hits at 3-4 degrees BTDC advance - you win. Use the timing light with a friend cranking it to complete this setting.

Timing Event Two - max advance.
As you continue to advance the throttle the timing will advance while the carbs slowly open a bit more. The next adjustment is max advance, this is the point where the distibutor (or trigger) can advance no more. Set the max-advance stop to 21 degrees for "direct charge" crossflow inlines and 34 degrees for the older plain vanilla crossflows. Use the light, - err to the side of caution.

Right after max advance, further throttle motion should cause the second throttle pickup to hit and open the carbs to full. You already set that -now verify it.

Leave the throttle cable disconnected and go to the water. Leave the boat strapped to the trailer and back it in so it's deep enought to run. Have a friend crank it while you operate the choke and throttle. Warm it up at 1500 rpms's.

When "warm" adjust the idle stop screw for about 800 rpm and then ajust your idle needle(s) in (one at a time) till the motor stumbles. Quickly backing it out 1/2 turn from "stumble" will usually save it from needing a re-start. Do that for all the idle screws. Re-set idle stop for 800.

Now have your friend put it in gear (make SURE you are on the transom NOT in the water) and reset your idle stop for as low as you can get it. 500-600rpm is great if your old reeds will let it idle that low in gear. Now, re-adjust the idle screws, in to stumble, then 1/2 turn out. When you've gone back and forth with that a few times and have it "perfect" - adjust each one out 1/4 turn.

Reset the idle stop so that it's about 700-800 out of gear and 500-600 in gear. Sometimes bad reeds won't let you get that low, you've GOT to get it under 1000 in neutral (worst case) to avoid beating up your lower unit when you shift into gear, even 1000 is "bad" but like I said "worst case".

Now adjust (and hook up)the throttle cable so that with the shifter in neutral, there is light to moderate pressure holding the throttle arm against the idle stop.

Take the boat off the trailer and go out in the water. Try the hole shot. If it falls on it's face try adjusting the idle screws out 1/4 turn at a time (all of them together) till you can get a hole shot. You can kind of do this on the trailer at the ramp, but it's not really safe for you, the boat, or the tow vehicle.

You're done.
 
Last edited:

WoodOnWater

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
28
Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

I've been poking around the engine. There are access holes to set screws. Imagine that!:D The pictures below have all of the ones I've located so far.

IMG_1872.jpg

#1 and #2: Are these the idle set screws? (Idle mixture control?)


IMG_1870.jpg IMG_1871.jpg

#3: Main Throttle Stop.

#4: Max advance Screw.

#5: Idle Stop Screw.

#6: Second Throttle Pickup.

#7: a carb interconnect for actuation both carbs together?

IMG_1873.jpg

What does the adjustment on the linkage(below the 6) do?
 

WoodOnWater

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
28
Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

I've got most of the procedure visualized. I'm not getting the first timing event though. My carbs begins to open immediately. There is no timing advance motion without the carbs starting to open. I guess I'm still looking for the tang or trigger screw that sets this timing. Any advice on locating this?
 

WoodOnWater

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
28
Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

I'm going to bump this thread with a couple of questions. Hoping to get answers.

I found this site with Service Manual downloads.

http://www.firstclass-download.com/...service manual.html?aff.id=1651&aff.subid=101

Has anyone used them? I'm not eager to release CC information to an unknown web presence. The price is right otherwise. $1.99 for three days of downloads. So I can pick up a service manual for $2. Does any one have a different reputable source?

Second question: What is Redline on a Thunderbolt 500? My tach is indicating 6500 RPM at WOT, but my calibration is suspect. If it is indicating properly and otherwise, I've been told 6000 should be redline unless modifications have been made to the engine.
 

carholme

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 4, 2010
Messages
4,845
Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

As you have not ncluded your engine s/n and if you are sure that it is a 1973 engine, here is a link to the condensed version of the Clymer manual which should help you get started. Download soonest to your computer as the link is short lived.

http://web.ebscohost.com/serrc/pdf?...aceb-2b65edcc95a8@sessionmgr113&vid=4&hid=118

The correct Mercury manual for a 1973 500 is P/N 90-68647.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercury-Out...ce-Shop-Manual-LOTS-MORE-Listed-/190719919881

Parts Listing for 1973 500:

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/449.cfm

You will see in the specs for the engine that the Max RPM range is: Models 500 & 50 4800-5500

Gerry
 

WoodOnWater

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
28
Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Thanks, carholme.

Appologies. S/N is 3350357.

I guess I need to confirm my tachometer accuracy. If it is, then I think I can get a prop with greater pitch. I'm running an 11" and will switch it to the 12" I have on hand.

I think the link is already dead.
 

WoodOnWater

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
28
Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Got it to work, Thanks again, Gerry.

I think I truncated the serial number and didn't count the digits. I originally thought it was 350357. When I looked recently and saw another digit. It didn't dawn on me that it might effect the manufacture year. :redface: My engine just keeps getting older. LOL


I ordered a timing light w/tach today so I can check my onboard tach calibration. One less puzzle piece to worry about.
 

WoodOnWater

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
28
Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

From my first post:

"Timing Event One - throttle pickup.
As the throttle is advanced, the spark timing advances toward TDC and then to before TDC. As the timing is just passing TDC the 1st (minor) throttle pickup should hit and start to open the carbs. Use the timing light. Adjust the tang or trigger screw to make this a reality. All of them are speced different, but if the 1st pickup hits at 3-4 degrees BTDC advance - you win. Use the timing light with a friend cranking it to complete this setting."

I think I need clarification on this. Is this a baseline adjustment? In other words, could I adjust my idle set screw to set advance at 0 deg BTDC and set the tang to just start/hit the carb lever. Then by adjusting the idle screw, it also advances the timing to the point where there s 3-4 degrees advance at idle speed? I have not messed with this, yet as I am showing 3-4 deg advance with the engine at idle. I think that this would be correct timing.

Also, I checked my full advance timing and saw I was getting 40 deg. advance. I reset this to 35 deg as this is correct for my engine. My high performance engine tuning is a little rusty. I'm not looking to do this. I'm only trying to refresh my understanding of timing. More advance typically improves high end perfomance provided you have the octane and aren't overloading the engine. (???) I think I am under proped and was getting 6500 RPM with an 11" pitch prop at WOT. Would 40 deg advance be facilitating increased RPM? Would less advance improve lower to mid-range performance? I tried a test run with a 13 pitch prop, but the engine felt like it was working harder. Engine RPM was reduced to 5800 RPM and boat speed was reduced. According to manual number, I'm still turning the engine too fast. This second run was also with the 40 degrees advance and so I'm trying to figure out if I might expect the engine to run stronger at reduced RPM with less advance.

Sorry for all of the question marks. It's been a while since I've done any performance tinkering or even any engine timing.
 
M

Maxz695

Guest
Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

as for the props On my 79 40 HP it came with a 10 3/8 x 12 pitch originally.I was new at trying to adjust props and dropped to and 11 Pitch X12Although i was getting 5500 rpm with it as opposed to 5000 - 5200 with the 12 Pitch, I thought i,d go the other way with a 10 x 13 pitch that dropped the rpm to about 4800 to 5000. Well it was all for learning and testing but came around that the 12 pitch was right for the wieght and dimentions of my boat. I would give that 12 Pitch you have a shot and see if you can get between 5200 to 5500 RPM as your beautiful wood boat is a bit on the heavy side. just my opinion
 

Faztbullet

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
15,930
Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

crystal%20ball.jpg

I foresee a meltdown in your future......


What tach are you using to check this? Have you checked to see if timing mark on flywheel at TDC lines up with decal?
 

WoodOnWater

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
28
Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

Re: '73 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing.

I have a Beede tach that is using stator pulses x 12 per rev. I have cross checked it with a timing light / tach and confirmed the setting, to 2000 RPM anyways. Trying to avoid a melt down. Reset max. timing to 35 deg. BTDC. I was hoping to get some input on how timing affects high and low end performance for HP and torque. I'll go have a look see to confirm timing indications.

Anybody know offhand what the gearing in the LU is for my motor? I'm working efficiency (slip) numbers.
 

WoodOnWater

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
28
Re: '72 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing. S/N 3350357

Re: '72 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing. S/N 3350357

It's spring....I think. It was snowing yesterday. I'm looking at cleaning my carburetors before the season and would like advise on which direction to go. I little background first. The engine starts and runs fine. It idles fine. The problem I have with this engine is if I shut it down while on the water. It starts hard and idles weakly. It has no power to accelerate. If I blip the choke as I advance the throttle, I can coax the engine up to speed and it runs fine afterwards. As long as I leave the engine running, I have no trouble. Idle to WOT to idle to WOT, etc... No problem. It only bogs when I've run it and shut it down and started it again.

I'm going to go in and clean the carburetors, but I'm debating the need for a couple of $80 carb kits. Sierra has a gasket set for a few buck that would be useful for reassembly if I simply go in and clean. I'm trying to decide whether to go full bore with the needles and seats in the Mercury rebuild kit.

It's obviously a leaning problem, but it's symptoms are curious.
 

WoodOnWater

Cadet
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
28
Re: '72 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing. S/N 3350357

Re: '72 50 HP 500, general tuning and timing. S/N 3350357

I'll bump this with a another question.

What is the best way to gain access to the left side carburetor bolts? I've pulled the starter to access the right-hand bolts. It's looking like pulling the distributor is going to be needed. I'm hesitant to disturb the distributor without knowing if this is the proper course to take. Anybody experienced with carb removal on this engine?
 
Top