Replacing distributor & engine timing

[austin123]

1988 GM 3.0L 4cyl Mercruiser, Alpha 1 outdrive. <br /><br />Can somebody tell me the correct and easiest way to install my distributor once it has been removed and engine timing/position is not known.<br /><br />I cannot get it to start and am sure this is the problem. I took it to the lake today and it idled ok, if a little hard to start. Once in gear and throttling up it would constantly miss/skip then run great for a second then bog again. It was running fine last week but I had problems with starting when hot so I replaced plugs, points, condenser, rotor and cap, leads and also replaced the fuel filter @ the carb and added a fuel/water filter. I removed the distributor to fit the new points and thought I replaced it in exactly the same place but now I am not sure and also think I have messed up the timing as it won't start at all at the house. When I serviced as above I set the dwell and then timing and thought everything was ok until I hit the water.<br /><br />I am desperate to get this thing running as my wife and kids are flying home from a months visit to England and I have taken the week off work to spend some family time at the lake! <br /><br />Any help with timing would be MOST appreciated.

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing distributor & engine timing

Remove the spark plugs.<br />With thumb over #1 spark plug hole, turn engine by hand till you start feeling compression building up on #1.<br />Continue turning till the timing makes line up at TDC.<br />This is #1 TDC on the compression stroke.<br />Now determine where you want #1 on the distributor cap to point and install the distributor so the rotor is pointing at the point on the cap where #1 plug wire will be installed.<br />This will only be close on the timing, and you will still need to set the timing with a timing light. You will probably have to move the distributor back and forth a bit to get it started.<br />Then put the plug wires on in the order of firing order of 1-3-4-2.

 

[austin123]

Re: Replacing distributor & engine timing

Thanks Don,<br /><br />I had read something about having to remove the valve cover and checking valve positions but knew there must be a quicker way.<br /><br />Will try this in the morning. I am still not sure that this was/is the problem with the engine hesitating. At one point when back at the house the engine would not even give me a spark and I found the shift interrupt switch had stuck in slightly and thinking back this may be some of my problem because on the lake it was as if the key switch was being shut off/on momentarily when under throttle until it finally died on me. Hopefully it's nothing more than that anyway.

 

[austin123]

Re: Replacing distributor & engine timing

Update:<br />Found the shift interupt switch broken inside and had to do a temporary repair on it until I can get a new one. The boat still ran like crap in gear and on the throttle and finally decided to take the fuel filter/water separater out of the fuel line and it immediately ran fine?<br /><br />For some reason my boat will not pull the fuel through the filter element? Boat ran fantasic all afternoon/evening long, even the problem with starting when hot has gone away.<br /><br />Any suggestions on how I can overcome this so I can get it back on again?

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing distributor & engine timing

Could be several things. Fittings in the filter have an air leak. If they have teflon tape on them you can bet on it.<br />Could be wrong filter element or a plugged one. Have you changed the element and had the same problem?<br />If you put in a new fuel line when you removed the filter, the inside of one of the old hoses may have been bad and the inside was collapsing causing a blockage in the line.<br />Could also be a bad fuel pump.

 

[austin123]

Re: Replacing distributor & engine timing

The fuel filter fittings were sealed with teflon sealer not tape and were very secure. Fuel hose is brand new and the fuel filter kit is new (Quicksilver brand). It could be the fuel pump I suppose. I may try a new one when I have some spare cash. How important is it for me to get this thing in line and working? Really important or not so important but good to have??<br />Thanks,