Pretty sure I already know the answer, but going to ask since the pictures in the manual I downloaded aren't clear enough to verify. On a 1974 500 with thunderbolt ignition (serial 3817126) , when the flywheel mark is on #1 piston TDC, verified piston is at top, should the second flywheel mark be aligned with mark on distributor? I will try to upload pics to show what I have now, so the question makes a little more sense. Basically, I think my distributor is timed improperly but would like to verify before I order a new timing belt and tear it down to fix.
A little back story: Ran boat last October for the first time after I bought it, ran great. Top speed of 32 mph on GPS. Bottom carb was loading up at idle, so ordered kits to rebuild both carbs. Soaked, complete rebuild, and reinstall. When doing the link and sync, found timing was at 45 degrees max rather than the 35 listed on sticker on the front of the engine. Reset timing to 35, adjusted everything in a barrel of water. Seemed OK, just not "great". Took boat out for the first time yesterday, and top speed on GPS was 23. Had no hesitation or bogging on the holeshot, just no top speed, and would barely run at low throttle speeds. Figured I had gotten something wrong on timing, so took the covers off today to investigate, and found that I think the distributor was not timed properly when I got the boat. Thanks for the help!
A little back story: Ran boat last October for the first time after I bought it, ran great. Top speed of 32 mph on GPS. Bottom carb was loading up at idle, so ordered kits to rebuild both carbs. Soaked, complete rebuild, and reinstall. When doing the link and sync, found timing was at 45 degrees max rather than the 35 listed on sticker on the front of the engine. Reset timing to 35, adjusted everything in a barrel of water. Seemed OK, just not "great". Took boat out for the first time yesterday, and top speed on GPS was 23. Had no hesitation or bogging on the holeshot, just no top speed, and would barely run at low throttle speeds. Figured I had gotten something wrong on timing, so took the covers off today to investigate, and found that I think the distributor was not timed properly when I got the boat. Thanks for the help!
