1898 5.7 350 MCM timing problem/question

[dove creek val]

1989 carver 5.7 350 mcm s/n OC606793 no points

Just bought boat, first two 2 hour runs great @ 3100rpm. Third time hard time starting, idleing, ran good @ 3100rpm. 4th time in driveway tried starting, felt like timing was off- ended up stripping bendix gear-one tooth off of ringear, pulling engine to change ringear now. Don't ask!
Question: could the timing advance mechanism "seize" in wot position making ideling and starting a problem?
Should I be able to move the rotor in the distributor back and forth a few degrees to see if advance mechanism is working?
How to check if mechanism is working?

Didn't adjust anything prior to problem, just changed batteries-new and charged.

Thanks!!

 

[Don S]

Re: 1898 5.7 350 MCM timing problem/question

There is no "mechanism" for advance, it's done electronically in the ignition module.
To test, start the engine and see what the timing is at idle (should be around 8?), then check at 3000 rpm and see what it reads.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1898 5.7 350 MCM timing problem/question

might want to pull the spark plugs to check for water in the cylinders