Timing 1988 88SPL, Throttle Cable Hookup

[sycamore]

I am going through the tune up procedure in the original manual. The motor idles good at 700 RPM, WOT at 4900 but I notice that the carbs are about 5 degrees from horizontal when the throttle is all the way down. Also I have hard starting, just the first time of the day.<br /><br />The TDC checks out, the compression checks out, the carbs are syncronized, and I am now ready to check the full advance at 28 deg. Without a test wheel, is there a good way to do this without running down the river at top speed? Also, the book does not cover in great detail on the correct hookup of the cables. When I popped the throttle cable off in neutral, it was about 1/8" off when I tried to slip it back on. My thinking is that I should finish the procedure all the way through the idle, then adjust the cable inside the cowling so it slips on when in neutral.

 

[sycamore]

Re: Timing 1988 88SPL, Throttle Cable Hookup

I given this some thought: Can I run the carbs dry, remove the spark plugs and then just ground #1 spark plug on the block, disconnect the throttle cable, advance the throttle until the cam has full advance, and then check timing by spinning the motor with the starter? I know this is not loaded, but the flywheel magnets still pass the timing mechanism the same way.<br /><br />I found the throttle cable hookup in my manual under the control box section.