I recently aquired a 1972 20 HP Merc, serial 3232686. When I received it, the wiring harness was completely rotten so I am replacing it. The whole engine ignition was taken apart when I received it and in a box. I have put all back on for a dry fit to see the arrangement of everything. This motor has the "Thunderbolt Phase Maker" points fired CD ignition. My question is,about the stator assembly, there is a bracket that attaches to the stator and has an adjustable timing advance rod that goes to the tiller throttle linkage which advances the timing through the movement of throttle control, when my throttle is avanced to wide open it moves the stator to a position where the spring loaded clamps that hold down the stator just barely are holding the stator down, sometimes it will go past the clamps and this could allow the stator to move up which would be disastrous if hitting the flywheel! I'm thinking the adjustment rod is adjusted way to far allowing the stator to move too much. Does anyone have a motor like this I could compare notes with or pictures of your timing rod assy just to get a ball park figure before I actually time it? My manual does not show a picture of this assy, just the timing adjustments.
