Distributor question Delco EST

[AS19-1]

My Delco EST distributor is not advancing timing past 12. Initial timing set at 8 BTDC. 2001 Marine Power 5.7 Vortec.
Does this mean my distributor is bad?
Do I need a complete new distributor or is there a rebuild kit of some kind?
What should my total timing be I was thinking around 30.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Don S]

Re: Distributor question Delco EST

I have no idea what the specs are for Marine Power engine, that's kind of a problem with gettintg an engine package that isn't OEM, basic informtation is not out there for anyone but the dealers. no manual or anything. There are also few dealers that can help.
Below are the specs I found for a Volvo Penta using the EST distributor. Look at this advance chart.

5.7GL-B/C/D/E Models1
Engine RPM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89 AKI Fuel
Initial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12?
600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21?
800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24?
1200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27?
1600 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28?
2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29?
2400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30?
2800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30?
4000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30?
4800 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30?


Now, you are not seeing even 12? of advance if you read it right. Initial timing is set with the distributor in base timing mode. When out of base timing, you should see around 21? at 600 rpm (not 12, forget that number, it's only used for setting the distributor for base timing) then at 30? you are at max advance, right where you should be.

If you are getting a backfire at WOT and your advance is close to the above, then you have a lean fuel mixture. probably not what you want to hear, but that is your problem.

 

[AS19-1]

Re: Distributor question Delco EST

Ok I'm confused now. I might have used wrong terminology by saying "initial" timing. I had installed a new dist. cap and rotor after doing so I had never checked timing on this engine so decided to check it. Cover on engine said timing should be 8* btdc I checked it and it was about 9 so I set it to 8* ( I did not check total timing ). This was done while I was trying to figure out a rich condition caused by a warped Holley (fixed). Took boat for a trial and engine gained slowly from 3400 to 3800 and backfired out exhaust not carb which brought me to think it was timing related not fuel. Checked to see if timing advanced. At 600 rpm warm engine 8* accelerated and timing advanced to 12* then just stops regardless of rpm. Revved to 3500 rpm did not want to go higher on muffs. Thanks for your help.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Distributor question Delco EST

Did you leave the distributor in base timing mode? Did you remove the jumper wire?

 

[Don S]

Re: Distributor question Delco EST

From your reply, I doubt you put the distributor into base timing mode. or, you didn't put it into BTM or back out of it the proper way. Doing it the wrong way means it won't work right. If you don't have the manual from Marine Power, how do you or any of us know how to set your system. The procedures for Volvo and Merc are different, so why expect MP to be something you can do with out knowing how?

 

[AS19-1]

Re: Distributor question Delco EST

I have little knowledge of timing I did not realize there was a base timing mode. I did not purchase this engine new it came in the boat. First inboard I own so trying to learn. I just read some on base timing but was all with thunderbolt ignition I dont seem to have a purple/white wire. Its dark now so will check it out tomorrow and try to find a manual thanks.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Distributor question Delco EST

T-Bolt and EST are two totally different setups and require totally different procedures to time. You are comparing watermelons to tomatoes!

 

[Don S]

Re: Distributor question Delco EST

I have little knowledge of timing I did not realize there was a base timing mode.

You need to stop working on it till you find a manual

I just read some on base timing but was all with thunderbolt ignition I dont seem to have a purple/white wire.

That is why just searching for something like "base timing" is a waste of time. Looking at the wrong type igniton is useless, and if you don't know that, it makes it even worse.

What outdrive do you have? That could even change things.