Does this timing advance rod (1985 50HP) look factory? Should it be bent like this?

[777funk]

My dad sent me this picture of his Force 50. This looks like maybe damage. Should this be bent?

 

[Jiggz]

That undoubtedly is the not the original rod for the timing tower and and cam advancer. That is a "jury rig" by the previous owner. Although, it seems to work but I don't think the linear motion of a straight rod (original design) will have the same amount of linear motion of a bent rod like this one. Why use a bent rod instead of a straight rod is beyond me.

One thing that is also noticeable is the clevis height from the timing tower seems to be higher than usual. Normally the clevis from the timing tower and the one on the cam advancer is almost of the same height. Could it be the timing tower is from a different year and model? Here's what mine looks like.

 

[topgun3690]

This was the one on my old power head.....

 

[Nordin]

Not 100% sure but I think the ball joint at the timing tower is mounted with a nut and in this case the ball is mounted up with the nut down.
Think you can unscrew the nut and turn the ball joint 180 dgr so the ball will face down. Then the rod will be horizontal as jiggz and topgun says and that it correct.
The throttle rod is definitely home made, there should not be any 90 drg angle of the rod.
It should be straight.

 

[777funk]

Here's what I have on my own 50HP (a 1987) but I just figured maybe my dad's older generation was different. His in that first picture doesn't look quite right so I did wonder if it was rigged up. I wonder if his timing is affected in a bad way by it.

His motor does not run well but he has a few other problems. The fuel pump doesn't supply fuel and he said when he had the carb off, he could not blow through the fuel supply port with the float needle in the open position. So he has a couple more pressing issues. But timing is important to. I have no idea why someone would bend the rod like his is in the first post.

 

[racerone]

That rod is not from the factory.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Your pic, at top is a black plastic connector.
That's where timing is adjusted.

 

[Redbarron%%]

I can't see the bent rod in the picture, but a bent rod is just that a bent rod and will not change the advance timing as the two end points remain the same distance apart and the relationship will not change as long as the rid does not flex.
That said I can see no reason to have something other than the original rod, but it it works it works.
OK I finally saw the picture at the top and I agree that the take off on the timing tower seems high and perhaps there is a different part there and the bent rod is to correct the geometry.
If that rod and the two moving points were connected directly the curve would be different, but with the bent rod the action is corrected. Weird, but corrected.

 

[racerone]

Someone made a rod from a piece of 1/4" threaded rod.----Clearly visible in first picture.----I am not sure why it is bent at the carburetor end.

 

[Nordin]

Yes racerone you are quite right. That rod is home made, the factory rod has threads only in the ends.
I think the picture give a miss showing of the rod being horisontal.
A bend like that will flex, no doubt about it.

 

[racerone]

I doubt it will flex from just opening the throttle plate.----But you have you wonder why a mekanic resorted to that fix.

 

[kbh121956]

My dad sent me this picture of his Force 50. This looks like maybe damage. Should this be bent?

That is not factory. Look for used on ebay or franzmarine.com Franz will need your serial/model number.

 

[Redbarron%%]

If it is running good leave it ALONE