need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

john from md

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

If you pull the safety switch, it grounds out the CDI modules and you won't get any spark to operate the timing light. You can ground the spark plugs by wrapping some old extension cord wire or speaker wire, (insulation removed of course ;)) around the base of the plug and wraping the other end around the the rack for the coils and CDI units.

When you are doing this, don't run the starter forever, they heat up and have to cool so use this formula. Don't run it for longer than 1 minute at a time. For the first three minutes, allow 5 minutes cooling between tries. For the next two minutes, allow fifteen minutes for cooling. After that, allow it to cool to ambient temperature before trying again.

Usually, if your timing is correct, it will take less than a minute to verify. Only when you have to adjust the timing do you use the starter more.

John
 

new outboard guy

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

ok i did exactly what you said to do. unhooked the gas, grounded the plug wires, jumpered the switch, and used my 3 year old son as a key turner. it worked perfectly. timed out great for me, i set it to the middle mark, and will test it tomorrow at the lake. thanks john you are the man!!!!!!
 

new outboard guy

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

i forgot to ask though, now that im timed how do i sync the fuel to the time????
 

john from md

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

I can't easily describe doing the carb sync. It is one of those things you need to have the book in front of you to do. It requires you to adjust your trottle cable, the throttle plates themselves and the cam pickup for the timing tower. You need to look at the pictures so you know where to position the linkage and what it should look like.

John
 

new outboard guy

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

john what are the rpms supposed to be at wot??? i can only get 4400 and was wondering if this is correct
 

john from md

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

WOT rpm with a 13x19 prop should be 5000-5500.

Have you checked to see that your throttle plates are fully open when at WOT?

John
 

new outboard guy

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

i have a 17 pitch prop, and im afraid to open the cover out on the lake, but i will get a set of lower unit water muffs to check in the garage. also what is the carb jet im supposed to run. im at 4000 feet, and frequently go above that. boat just runs stinky and rich.
 

jaybirddog11

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

Maybe its just me, but I wouldn't open up to WOT on muffs. I have heard a few horror stories. You are not getting enough water to cool the engine and which could lead to big problems.
 

jason32038

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

You can't open up to WOT on muffs anyway..the engine will most likely discenigrate when it over-revs. I hear most guys do this in a test tank or barrel full of water with a test prop. Dynamic is more accurate and if you cant do it I suggest you take it in to a shop so they can do it and also adjust your carb mixture
 

john from md

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

I'm sorry my reply was not clear. When I said to see if the throttle plates were opening at WOT, I meant just move the trottle to WOT and look at the plates. The engine does not have to be running. When in WOT, the trottle plates must all be horizontal and all look the same. If any plate is out, do the carb set up procedure to set up the plates.

John
 

new outboard guy

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

ok idles good, but when i shift it into forward or reverse it dies unless i give it a lot of gas. also i changed the jets to .086, runs a little better at idle. but what do i do about the shifting?????
 

john from md

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

Your sync may not be correct. If it is off, you won't get the timing to advance with the trottle setting. Check to see if your timing bar moves when you shift from neutral to forward. The engine does not have to be running to check this.

John
 

new outboard guy

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

it does not move when i shift from nuetral to forward or nuetral to reverse. how do i adjust this??? i am not sure how to adjust the throttle cable.
 

john from md

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Re: need advise on force 87 125 hp timing

You have to adjust the carb linkage to the timing linkage. This is done with the cable disconnected from the engine. After you adjust the carb/timing linkage correctly, per the manual, then you set the engine linkage to neutral, the throttle to neutral and then adjust the cable to the engine.

You will have to read the manual for the details, I'm afraid I am TDY and away from my resources.

John
 
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