renoduckman
Petty Officer 3rd Class
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2006
- Messages
- 75
I need some help with understanding the timeing on my 1988 80hp 3cyl Merc. As on other posts here i have been fighting a long running battle with an on and off electrical problem. I recently replaced stator and trigger. I think the stator was bad and i replaced the trigger becasue some of the wiring insulation was bad also. The trigger tested ok but the wireing didnt look good. Now i have the motor running but dosent sound quite right. I think the timeing is off some. I will try to get at it tommorrow to verify.
Now im not an expert but have set timeing on a half dozen cars over the years and think i understand it some. I know that the spark has to advance no matter how its done, with computer or the old way. My clymer manuel for this engine says that i need a dial indicator to set timeing pointer on flywheel cover to tdc of #1 cyl. It gives exact measurements of how far. Like .492. Then after you set the pointer you go from there with the link and sync. My questons is this. Why will you need to do that? The tdc of motor cant move. And if you dont move that timeing pointer on flywheel cover, how can it change. I guess i have never heard of a timeing mark that moves! On my old truck its on the timeing belt cover. Seems odd to me. I can get a dial indicator from work next week that should work but? The whole timeing procedure seems tough? Maybe its not as hard as it sounds.
Now backing up for a minute. Is the timeing on these engines that sensetive? I changed stator and trigger. I dont know how that can change timing much? Myabe it only takes a bit to throw it off? I think i will have my engine problem solved when the timing is set. I appreciate any input. Joe
Now im not an expert but have set timeing on a half dozen cars over the years and think i understand it some. I know that the spark has to advance no matter how its done, with computer or the old way. My clymer manuel for this engine says that i need a dial indicator to set timeing pointer on flywheel cover to tdc of #1 cyl. It gives exact measurements of how far. Like .492. Then after you set the pointer you go from there with the link and sync. My questons is this. Why will you need to do that? The tdc of motor cant move. And if you dont move that timeing pointer on flywheel cover, how can it change. I guess i have never heard of a timeing mark that moves! On my old truck its on the timeing belt cover. Seems odd to me. I can get a dial indicator from work next week that should work but? The whole timeing procedure seems tough? Maybe its not as hard as it sounds.
Now backing up for a minute. Is the timeing on these engines that sensetive? I changed stator and trigger. I dont know how that can change timing much? Myabe it only takes a bit to throw it off? I think i will have my engine problem solved when the timing is set. I appreciate any input. Joe
