hello iboats well am back again .i want to know the correct way for timing my 454 mercruiser. .what i did was at idle speed 700 rpm i just set the timing at 8 btdc and lock the distributor down, the problem am having is, with load it will not go past 3800 rpm . even when i drop down to a pop two pitch lower same thing. i was told maybe i need to do the distributor advance time correctly so it can reach the correct rpm. compression is geat on all cylinders . 25 sea ray i got 30 mile per gps at 3800 rpm with only a 15 x15 mriage prop i know the correct prop should be a 17.. thanks guys am about to get me a advance timing light. thanks for some info. god bless