Delco EST...no advance

[Indymike]

I was bench running my rebuilt merc 260 today to run in the new cam.
As part of the rebuild I installed a new Delco EST distibutor.
After the engine was good and warm...140? per the temp gauge I attempted to set the timing. Did this per EST procedures...while engine is running connect timing shunt and +12V...
After setting base timing @ 10? and removing shunt I rechecked timing and noticed it did not advance. So I throttled it up and it actually retarded.
Is this a problem with the distributor module or am I missing something?
By the way , the engine fired right up, no issues starting whatsoever.

Thanks,

 

[JustJason]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

So as your facing the engine... looking down at the balancer... your saying the line moved to the right of the timing tab?

 

[Indymike]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

So as your facing the engine... looking down at the balancer... your saying the line moved to the right of the timing tab?

Yes.

Timing actually moved back to about 0? @ 2000 rpm

 

[Don S]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

Yes, the module is probably your problem.
When you say you installed the shunt, I assume you have a distributor out of another boat or an aftermarket. Is it new? How do you have the shift interrupt wiring hooked up and bypassed when you hook up the shunt?

 

[Indymike]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

Yes, the module is probably your problem.
When you say you installed the shunt, I assume you have a distributor out of another boat or an aftermarket. Is it new? How do you have the shift interrupt wiring hooked up and bypassed when you hook up the shunt?

New aftermarket from here http://www.marine-ignition.com/imdist8v.htm .

Shift interrupt is not connected to the distributor yet.

Timing shunt was supplied with new dist.

 

[Don S]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

I had problems with a Volvo engine with the EST distributor over 10 years ago. Went through 3 bad modules in a row before I found one that worked. Was pretty down on the EST at that point. Haven't seen it happen sense and they seem to work 99% of the time now. When they don't it's usually because there is no spark. But yes, it is possible you have a defective (NEW) module.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

that's actually a pretty good price for an entire ignition

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

I am with DonS, my bet is a defective module.
been there and done that a few times myself.
will drive a tech nuts

 

[Indymike]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

Thanks for all the quick replies.
I may have to eat this one. i bought the ignition kit over a year ago, but just now fired it up.

 

[Don S]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

At least give them a call and explain why it took so long to find the problem.

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

Are you sure you set the initial of 10BTC and not 10ATC

 

[Don S]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

Are you sure you set the initial of 10BTC and not 10ATC

There are no 10? ATDC marks on a Chevy, only BTDC.
Fords on the other hand had both Before and After timing marks scribed in the balancer.

 

[Indymike]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

At least give them a call and explain why it took so long to find the problem.

I'm going to call them tomorrow...who knows...

Are you sure you set the initial of 10BTC and not 10ATC

I'm sure. ATDC marks only go to 8?

Would it even run @ 10? ATDC ?

Good question though, because I didn't specify BTDC.

 

[Don S]

Re: Delco EST...no advance

Would it even run @ 10? ATDC ?

I don't think it will unless you have the idle rpm way up. Fords will, and don't ask me how I know.