TR 302 ford mercruiser

[Andre Michel]

After engine is warm it does not idle smooth and stalls when placed into gear,
runs good out of gear but when placed in gear it stalls. Work I have done,
carburator cleaned ,new points, rotor ,cap, and set the dwell. fuel tanks cleaned, fuel filters replaced, new gas, outdrive rebuilt. I am wondering if the timing could case this problem? I had hard time figuring out how to set the timing because there is only a pointer and no marks on the harmonic balancer.

thanks
andre

[MTribe08]

After engine is warm it does not idle smooth and stalls when placed into gear,
runs good out of gear but when placed in gear it stalls. Work I have done,
carburator cleaned ,new points, rotor ,cap, and set the dwell. fuel tanks cleaned, fuel filters replaced, new gas, outdrive rebuilt. I am wondering if the timing could case this problem? I had hard time figuring out how to set the timing because there is only a pointer and no marks on the harmonic balancer.

thanks
andre

Have you ruled out the Shift Interupter Switch? What kind of boat/Year??
Also, If the shift cable is bad, it can cause the switch to "over-activate" and stall the engine when you shift.

[Andre Michel]

Have you ruled out the Shift Interupter Switch? What kind of boat/Year??
Also, If the shift cable is bad, it can cause the switch to "over-activate" and stall the engine when you shift.

The boat is a 1970 so I am assuming engine and outdrive are the same, but I don't think this model has a shift interupter switch. the transmission is on the back of the engine.

[Don S]

I am wondering if the timing could case this problem? I had hard time figuring out how to set the timing because there is only a pointer and no marks on the harmonic balancer.

Absolutely the timing will cause your problem. The timing markers are scribed into the balancer. If it's all rusy and no longer visible, the only thing you can do is replace the balancer. OR!!!!! make a piston stop, turn the engine slowly BY HAND till the #1 piston contacts the stop. Mark it on the dampner, then turn the engine again slowly the opposite direction until the piston again contacts the stop.
Halfway between the 2 marks is TDC.
Now, with a timing light with adjustable timing, set it at the requierd degrees before TDC and line up the TDC mark while the engine is running.

[frank246]

Don, dont you have to specify on what side in between the 2 marks is tdc otherwise itll be bdc?