distributor install

[jdogg#1]

have a 87 sea ray with 3.0 mercruiser. when i put a timing light on it i noticed that it looked about a tooth of on the dist. the timing marks wouldent line up by a long shot.So thinking i new what i was doing i pulled the dist. now i cant get it stapped back right. im setting up tdc and lineing my rotor up with #1 on the cap.and i think this is the one in the front of the motor. then stapping it in. it runs fine but not any closer to the timing marks. Im kinda confused i know the rotor has to be lined up with #1 but how do i know where the dist is supposed to go. hope this isent to confusing. the reason i did it to began with is it was diesling and hesitating at accel so i figured timing.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: distributor install

Are you going right by the Mercruiser manual? It's in there step by step for my engine, bet it is for yours too.
If it seems wrong it probably is. Recheck your work. See if the manual has any troubleshooters for your problem.
I was able to solve a vexing problem on my drive with the Mercruiser troubleshooter guide, somebody else must have made the same mistake I had. (not your issue though!)
Good luck, just be patient, take a deep breath and think about your steps, it's always something stupid.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: distributor install

have a 87 sea ray with 3.0 mercruiser. when i put a timing light on it i noticed that it looked about a tooth of on the dist. the timing marks wouldent line up by a long shot.So thinking i new what i was doing i pulled the dist. now i cant get it stapped back right. im setting up tdc and lineing my rotor up with #1 on the cap.and i think this is the one in the front of the motor. then stapping it in. it runs fine but not any closer to the timing marks. Im kinda confused i know the rotor has to be lined up with #1 but how do i know where the dist is supposed to go. hope this isent to confusing. the reason i did it to began with is it was diesling and hesitating at accel so i figured timing.

The fact that it actually runs means you basically got it close to the right spot...and close is just fine. Being a tooth off is not a problem. Now its just a question of rotating it until the timing is correct with your timing light.

Have you changed your points lately? If not, do that first and set the dwell with a dwell meter...then adjust your timing. This is of course if you have points, which you may not!

 

[jdogg#1]

Re: distributor install

thats the proplem the timing mark is to far off by the time it gets even close to where it needs to be it stalls

 

[Silvertip]

Re: distributor install

Are you sure you have the timing light connected to the #1 plug wire when checking timing?

 

[jdogg#1]

Re: distributor install

pretty sure its the wire at the front of the motor

 

[Black as]

Re: distributor install

If your distributor has a mechanical advance they could be sticking and effecting you trying to get your timing right, they are located under the points plate with a spring attached to them. Lubricate them or replace them depending on what condition they are in also have you changed the points lately

 

[bruceb58]

Re: distributor install

thats the proplem the timing mark is to far off by the time it gets even close to where it needs to be it stalls

Is there a possibility that the harmonic balancer has slipped? What is your dwell sitting at and have you changed your points.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: distributor install

If your distributor has a mechanical advance they could be sticking and effecting you trying to get your timing right, they are located under the points plate with a spring attached to them. Lubricate them or replace them depending on what condition they are in also have you changed the points lately

That would have an effect once the engine RPM is increased and the timing doesn't advance. From what I understand he can't even get it to idle yet.