Timing question

[90bay]

I have a 150 H.P. Force. I have read the manual and the information on the site about timing it. However, there is one thing that does not make any sense to me. Everything says to time it at WOT and nothing about idle. In my mind it seems as though you would need to set one and then the other or have some kind of baseline to start. My thinking is that if someone replaced one of the pieces in the timing linkage it wuld be entirely possible that your baseline or starting point could be off. Any one have some thoughts on this or am I just over thinking the system.

 

[fucawi]

Re: Timing question

point is a few degrees out at WOT can make a big difference to power /pinging/preignition whilst the "error "same at idle is not critical

 

[scooterdog]

Re: Timing question

Besides..there is only one adjusting lever. If you were to set it at Idle...then move it to set it at WOT...then it would no longer be where you set it at when at Idle!

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Timing question

You set the timing at WOT! Period. Since power generated at idle is minimal, NO damage will be done from slightly incorrect timing so it is nothing to worry about.

Now, since very small timing changes will affect idle speed significantly, if you correctly synchronize the carbs and timing, then adjusting the idle stop screw on the timing tower will adjust timing at idle a few degrees and change idle speed. It will also open or close the carbs a crack.

Net effect is that timing at idle will usually vary from about -2 degrees to +2 degrees. Most of my engines will be at about +2 with the carb butterflies slightly cracked open at idle of 750 RPM in forward gear in the water.

 

[fucawi]

Re: Timing question

90 bay ..what might also be confusing you is that you do not have to run the engine at WOT to set the timing ..just open the throttle fully which also advances the ignition .then rotate the engine to determinge timing if you have contacts or crank it with no fuel and check with a timing light. It is also important not to trust any timing marks ....take out plug and put in screwdriver to find tdc. There will be some play so go for the middle...count ring gear teeth div into 360 and hence find your max advance point.

 

[90bay]

Re: Timing question

Thanks for all of the replies. I have already timed the engine according to the book after replacing one of the plastic links. However, the first time I did it when in time. My throttle ended up being limited by the trigger mechanically. I then took apart the timing linkage readjusted it timed it again and was able to get WOT again. Which in turn made think that there must be a baseline for re-installing one of those three parts. Thanks again.