Mercruiser 3.0 Distributor posotion and Timing

[Rod Burton]

I'm trying to get my engine/ Distributor in time. I put the engine on TDC and pulled the Distributor cap and it looks like the rotor is on 4, not near 1. At least that is what it looks like. So I'm not sure what I should do next. My question is this. Does my Distributor look like it's in the right position for TDC? Or do I need to pull it, replace it and set timing closer to one. I really don't know what it should look like but I would think the rotor should be closer to 1. Let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

[alldodge]

Firing order is 1-3-4-2 and rotor turns clockwise

If it's near 4 then dizzy needs to be turned, pulled and reinstalled or move plug wires on cap to align with number one. Also note the mark for TDC on the damper comes around twice so the motor mat be on TDC of the exhaust stroke. If it's on exhaust and not compression the it's in correct position

To verify compression TDC, pull plug one. Put your thumb over the hole or a cork. Bump starter a bit at a time until pressure blows cork or you thumb off hole. Now look at dizzy it should be one compression TDC

 

[Scott Danforth]

Are you on TDC on cylinder 1? Or are you 180 degrees out which would put the rotor on cylinder #4

 

[Davetowz]

Wouldn't this fit better in mercruiser i/o repair forum?

 

[Ptr.Torch]

Timing and engine isn't hard, but you have to take several things into account. 1) Top dead center has to be the on the power stroke. Your cam has closed the intake valve and the exhaust valve isn't opened yet either. The piston is all the way to the top. That is the end of the compression stroke and time for spark to produce power. 2) Now check to see if the rotor is pointing at #1 in the distributor cap. If not, then you can either re-stab the distributor or move plug wires to make it fit. (If you re-stab the distributor, be sure it engages the oil pump drive, which most engine have. That is, most engines drive the oil pump from the tip of the distributor.) Rotation is clockwise from there. Relocate all plug wires according to the firing order. That should getting it running, and a timing light can then help you dial in the 8 degrees BTDC timing..