Re: HELP! Clymer says 2 ATDC-2 BTDC, Seloc says 7-9 BTDC for idle
sarcasm woops, my bad....
Anyway, according to Mercury manual # 90-86134-4, which is for this motor. (unless you supply serial number which will let me check if there is a different manual) On page 2C-1 in the chart on the top of the page it states: throttle pick-up timing 1-5 ATDC (75) If we turn the page in our Mercury manual to page, 2C-2 it states: 2. Pre-set carburetor idle mixture scres at 1-1/2 turns out from lightly seated position. 3. Connect Timing Light to No. 1 (top) spark plug. 4. With engine running in forward gear, move throttle lever so that throttle primary pickup cam just touches primary pickup on carburetor cluster, as shown in figure 3. Then without moving throttle lever, adjust primary pickup screw(figure 4) so that the timing pointer is aligned specified throttle pickup on timing decal. retighten nut on adjusting screw.
Step 5 goes on to tell you to set high speed timing. (again, located on timing decal)
So I don't know about the (YES GENERIC) manuals you are using, but the Mercury manual states to use the timing specified on the decal.
If these two manuals are so good, why do the two of them give conflicting information, as you state in your post.
Numerous times, people have come to this forum and asked what is the best manual for thier motor. The answer is the one from the manufacturer.
If the intake silencer was changed, someone should have been more careful