M/C Thunderbolt 4 Ignition Question..

PBarrett

Seaman
Joined
Jun 1, 2010
Messages
60
Hi All, new member in need of some wisdom from those familiar with the M/C TB4 ignition system.

I have a 1991 Bayliner with a M/C 5.7/260HP engine with an Alpha Drive. I've owned it about one year now and last summer, before I splashed it, I put in new plugs, wires, cap, rotor and rebuilt the Q-jet carb. I also went through the outdrive. Since the first day on the water, it seemed like the boat was struggling to get on plane and couldn't make WOT. I only have about 20 hours on the boat since last summer, so today I figured I'd delve deeper into why the performance was lacking.

First I did a compression test and found that the engine was in pretty good condition, high comp was 175 and low comp was 155. I then checked to make sure I had WOT on the carb linkage and that too was OK. I then checked timing, as last year I simply set the timing at 8* and left it at that. So today I hooked up my shop tach and was going to check the timing from 650 RPM on through the scale and found that the 8* was there at 650, but the furthest it would advance was about 14*. At about 1200 RPM it was at 12* but going higher it stopped advancing just off the end of timing tab, or approximately 14*. At 3000 RPM it stayed in the same place. I believe this package is supposed to have about 22* in the module, so I was looking for somewhere around 30* total.

So my question is, do I need a new TB4 module, or is there some other test I can perform before I drop a pant load on a new module? Any assistance will be sincerely appreciated. BTW, sorry for the long first post.

Paul
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: M/C Thunderbolt 4 Ignition Question..

The 22? modules are what you want. They advance 22?, add your 8? initial timing and you have your 30? total.

For checking your system, Click Here and download manual #15. Section 4B covers your ignition system and how to troubleshoot it.
 

PBarrett

Seaman
Joined
Jun 1, 2010
Messages
60
Re: M/C Thunderbolt 4 Ignition Question..

Don S, Thank you for your quick response. I have Mercruiser Manual 15 and while my module will pass all of the recommended tests, it still will not advance the ignition correctly. That's why I was looking to see if anyone had another test I could perform on the module before I dropped a bunch of money on the replacement. I just hate putting out that kind of money on one of those black box thingy's that can't be opened up or tested to see if they are bad. What further burns me, is that for the price of a new module, you can almost purchase a complete aftermarket ignition system. DRAT!!! :mad:

Again, thanks for your response.

Paul
 
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