75 135 Timing issues (yes I looked at Top Secret and search)

[CynicCE]

Hey guys,

Been working on the ol' Starflite after I lost spark. Power pack, coils, and a timer base later I've got spark back on all cylinders (yay.) I've been looking at how to make sure the timing is set (considering the new powerpack and timer base) and the instructions for doing it in the top secret file are not firing my timing light at all. I have a power light on the timing light to show that it has juice. The wire clip doesn't hold steady to the #1 cylinder and there's no spot on the wire I can find that will change that. Doing this at 5k rpms running in the water is not even close to reality as this motor is on a 14' hydrostream vixen and I would surely die in process. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can make sure I'm getting proper timing at WOT? The service manual isn't much help on this part either. Thanks for anything you can offer!

Sincerely,

Ben

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: 75 135 Timing issues (yes I looked at Top Secret and search)

(Timing At Cranking Speed 4?)
(J. Reeves)

NOTE: If your engine has the "Fast Start" feature", you must disconnect/eliminate that feature in order to use the following method. The "Fast Start" automatically advances the spark electronically when the engine first starts, dropping it to normal when the engine reaches a certain temperture.

The full spark advance can be adjusted at cranking speed,"without" have the engine running as follows.

To set the timing on that engine, have the s/plugs out, and have the throttle at full, set that timer base under the flywheel tight against the rubber stop on the end of the full spark timer advance stop screw (wire it against that stop if necessary).

Rig up a spark tester on the #1 cylinder plug wire. Hook up the timing light to the #1 plug wire. Crank the engine over and set the spark advance to 4? less than what the engine calls for.

It's a good idea to ground the other plug wires to avoid sparks that could ignite fuel that may shoot out of the plug holes. I've personally never grounded them out and have never encountered a problem (fire) but it could happen.

I don't know the full spark advance setting your engine calls for, but to pick a figure, say your engine calls for 28?, set the timing at 24?. The reasoning for the 4? difference is that when the engine is actually running, due to the nature of the solid state ignition componets, the engine gains the extra 4?.

If you set the engine to its true setting at cranking speed, when running it will advance beyond its limit by 4? which will set up pre-ignition causing guaranteed piston damage! You don't want that to take place.

No need to be concerned about the idle timing as that will take care of itself. The main concern is the full advance setting.

Be sure to use your own engines spark advance settings, not the one I picked out of the air here in my notes.

 

[CynicCE]

Re: 75 135 Timing issues (yes I looked at Top Secret and search)

Hey Joe,

I saw this but the trouble I was having is that the timing light isn't lighting doing it this way. I had the boat running and it works when at idle so I know the light is good. Is there anything I can do to help it work when not running?

 

[CynicCE]

Re: 75 135 Timing issues (yes I looked at Top Secret and search)

Hey Joe,

I saw this but the trouble I was having is that the timing light isn't lighting doing it this way. I had the boat running and it works when at idle so I know the light is good. Is there anything I can do to help it work when not running?

Not sure why it worked this last time but I got the timing light to fire this time. Motor at WOT is at 20 degrees just like the book says. Thanks for taking the time to try to help!

Ben