Confused about idle timing 89 Johnson 90ho

[waynehol]

Hi all,
I was reading through the forums and learning about adjusting throttle cables and idle stuff and I read that the idle is set by the timing and not the throttle.

Well, I replaced the throttle cable last week. I adjusted the cable to the engine (another great tip learned on these pages). I manually retarded the throttle linkage on the motor to all the way closed, then with the control lever in neutural, I adjusted the cable end to match the closed linkage on the motor.

When I started the engine, the idle speed was way too low and would not stay running. So, I disconnected the cable, moved the throttle linkage about a 1/4 inch open, readjusted and connected the cable. So now in the nuetral position on the control, the boat idles at a reasonable speed.

Is this the wrong way to do it? If so, what it the correct way?

Thanks

[ezeke]

The correct way is to follow the synchronization and linkage steps in section one of your factory service manual. If you set it any other way, you take the risk of advancing the timing too much and possibly burning a piston.

[waynehol]

So the throttle should be all the way closed at idle? I will do a synchronization and linkage per the book and see what happens.

Thanks