'87 Force 85 throttle setting

activa

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
31
Ok, I know, I need to consult the manual. But I just ordered the clymer manual yesterday, and I'm anxious to get my kids tubing today.

On my 87 Force 85, there is a throttle link with a ball joint on each end. The end that opens the throttle connects to a plate with a curve that pushes open the throttle by rolling against the bushing connected to the bar linking the three carbs. With the control at WOT, this plate only goes to the point where the curve changes directions. In other words, the throttle is never fully opened.

My questions are: Is it supposed to be this way, or is the throttle supposed to be able to be fully opened? I'm guessing it should open all the way. If so, my second question is what do I adjust to make it open further, without changing the timing settings? Do I disconnect one of the ball joint ends and rotate the joint? Or is it likely that something else slipped and needs to be reset so that the throttle and timing are synched?
 

Frank Acampora

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 19, 2007
Messages
12,004
Re: '87 Force 85 throttle setting

The two ball joints adjust the start point and the travel of the throttle cam. Here's what to do: With the throttle closed, using the ball joints, set the cam so that the two lines are centered on the roller, or if you only have one line it should be centered in the high spot of the roller. The roller is on an eccentric screw. loosen it slightly and turn the roller until it just touches the cam. When you advance the throttle, the roller will ride up the cam until it reaches the "finger". It pushes the roller down without it riding much along the finger. See if the throttle plates are opened fully and substantially equally. If not, you need to adjust the ball joints so that they are fully opened. This may or will change the idle opening, and you may or will need to adjust the idle stop screw on the lower part of the tower to bring idle speed down. If idle is around 700 in gear in the water (preferred) or around 1,000 rpm in neutral, it is correct.
 

activa

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 2, 2007
Messages
31
Re: '87 Force 85 throttle setting

Thanks, I made the changes and now the throttle's working well... except I have no power when I open the throttle, which I'm sure is the fuel pump. I get the rebuild kit tomorrow, and should be skiing soon!
 
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