Where is no.1 cyl.

[HenryB]

19989 JOHNSON 130, 4 CYL.

If I?m looking at the back of the engine, the spark plug end, which is number one cylinder?

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Where is no.1 cyl.

Standing in back of the engine, facing the spark plugs, #1 cylinder would be the top starboard (right) cylinder.

The cylinders are number as follows:

2....1

4....3

Look closely while you're standing there... you'll notice that s/plug 1 is a little higher than plug #2... #2 is a little higher than #3, and #3 is a little higher than #4. If you could squeeze them all together in a straight line (like the older inline Mercurys), you would have:

1
2
3
4..... Which is also the firing order of the V4 engines.

 

[HenryB]

Re: Where is no.1 cyl.

Thanks; I just came from the boat where I was trying to do a max. advance timing setting on my 1998 130 Johnson.

Hooked up on #1 with the strobe it was firing @ around 20 deg BTC (???).

I had done some carb work and decided to do the timing. The engine calls for 18 deg. at WOT.

When I set firing to 14 deg BTC per the Joe Reese crank method (supposed to be good at WOT) the engine SHAKES AND STUTTERS @2000 RPM.

It worked OK at 20 deg cranking. I disconnected the b/w wire and grounded the b/w wire from the pack. I did something wrong.

I don’t know what to do now. I’m afraid to go back to the 20 deg. BTC setting.

Yikes, I just noticed who answered.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Where is no.1 cyl.

Keep in mind that using that retarding 4 degree timing method that you need to disconnect the FAST START electronic setup on that engine, otherwise you'll obtain a false reading.

You're saying that the timing when you checked it originally, it was set to 20 degrees at cranking speed..... what does the manual state pertaining to the full throttle, full spark advance setting?

 

[HenryB]

Re: Where is no.1 cyl.

I removed all plugs except #1
I set to full throttle
I disconnected the b/w wire and grounded the b/w wire that goes to the pack
The engine mark and Clymers says 18 deg BTC.
At cranking speed #1 was firing at around 20-22 deg BTC.
I've had the engine since new and never touched the timing until now.

 

[HenryB]

Re: Where is no.1 cyl.

For the probe I hooked black clip to neg bat. terminal and the red to the pos. term. and the clamp to #1 plug wire.

On the fly wheel I set the marker at 14 deg left of tdc.

Prior to it all I set the timer pointer to tdc (no need to change pointer position, it was right on)

My fly wheel has two grids, one for #1 cyl and one for #2 cyl.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Where is no.1 cyl.

All of the spark plugs should be removed and #1 plug wire attached to a spark tester gaped at 7/16". A timing light would then be attached to #1 plug wire.

If you bought the engine new and never had the timing moved, and when you first checked it the spark registered 20/22 degrees spark advance... I can only assume that you DO NOT have the FAST START feature of your engine disconnected.

 

[HenryB]

Re: Where is no.1 cyl.

I will be trying the set up using the spark plug tester set at 7/16. All plugs removed.

The fast start wire (black and white) disconnects at a bayonet plug on my engine. I was grounding the part of the lead coming from the power pack, which may have energized the circuit.

 

[HenryB]

Re: Where is no.1 cyl.

OK, It was the quick start that was engaged, even after disconnecting at the bayonet plus and grounding the black/white wire from the power pack.

First, I installed the adjustable gap spark tester and repeated the test. No change, still firing @ 18 deg BTC (the adjusting screw about at its limit).

Then I reassembled the black/white wire, no change (Whoops, a clue).

I got back on my miracle machine and again asked how to disable Quick Start, and this time I found out that there is another step involved. The yellow/red wire at the power pack must be disabled at the bayonet plug under the Pack cover.

That done I was able to set the timer at 14 deg BTC at a reasonable point on the adjustment screw. Then I reconnected the quick start and checked again, number one fired at 18 deg BTC.

I buttoned her up and went for a test. Unfortunately the wind was blowing and I did want to get up on plane, but she got up around 3000 rpm no problem, just like before.

I probably should not have diddled with the timing.

But at least I was able to get the motor straightened out.

Thank you for all the kind assistance.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Where is no.1 cyl.

I probably should not have diddled with the timing.........But at least I was able to get the motor straightened out.

Diddled the timing? I hope it's on the pill.

The engine... I knew you would get it eventually.