Mercruiser timing or engine issue..?

[Blackhauk90]

So i'm really new to boats, as i just purchased my first.. I usually work on cars so the parts look familiar in a way so i figured I'd be able to figure out any problems i run into. But as it turns out, i cannot.

Anyways the boat is an older sea ray ('82) , alpha 1 drive. I went through all the little trouble to replace the motor with a little newer mag 350, but a carbed version '86 i believe is the year. I had a valve job on the heads done and assembled it all back to stock. The previous motor had a crusader delco electric spark ignition disctributor and stuff in it, so i also put that on the other motor. The serial # is 83808 for the ignition.. On the valve cover the engine said to set the timing at 8 btdc, the crusader paper i have says 10..

So i got it set dead in 8 degrees and flipped the wiring thing back into the run position. Tried giving it a little gas to get it going, and nothing. So on and so on.. The only results i got out of the motor was a real occasional back fire, and often a puff out the carb.

I messed with the distributor a bit more a few degrees one way and a few the other, but still all i get is an often puff out the carb, rarely a back fire.

After trying that I ran out of ideas by what it could be.. Even when the timing is off on cars you usually can get it to start or barely run so does anyone see the timing really being the problem or is there something else i'm over looking?

 

[210ccr]

Re: Mercruiser timing or engine issue..?

sound's like you may need to re-stab the distributor, 180 degree's out maybe!

 

[zman6988]

Re: Mercruiser timing or engine issue..?

I agree you should recheck the Distributer, also make sure the rotor button and tips inside the distributer are not corroded.

 

[dr_bowtie]

Re: Mercruiser timing or engine issue..?

pull the number one spark plug...put your finger over the spark plug hole and bump the starter until it blows your finger...put it at TDC on the balancer and check the position of the rotor...should be pointing at no1...

make sure just to bump the starter and not crank...you'll go right past the mark during compression...

with it set at 8deg lead it should start with ease...you do have the valves adjusted properly right...? if the valves arent adjusted properly it aint gonna start....

 

[jtybt]

Re: Mercruiser timing or engine issue..?

Ayuh! And always recheck the plug wire firing order.

 

[Blackhauk90]

Re: Mercruiser timing or engine issue..?

Ah i'll try and adjust my valves again and redo the distributor. Thank you very much for the replies.

 

[Blackhauk90]

Re: Mercruiser timing or engine issue..?

Alrighty, so i pulled the distributor out and got that all setup right. I can now get the motor started, but it does not like to idle at all. It will run when i give it gas but if i unplug the electric spark timing thing in order for it not to advance, i can get it to idle on its own but rough. So does anyone know how to tell if its the ignition or the carburetor now..?

 

[jtybt]

Re: Mercruiser timing or engine issue..?

If you have en EST ignition, 8* is good enuff to start. Don't worry about base timing for now. As long as you have it running, adjust your low speed air screws with a vacuum gauge. It should smooth out if everything is set up right.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser timing or engine issue..?

Don't worry about base timing for now. As long as you have it running,

Sorry, but I am not understanding a lot of your off the wall information in many of your posts.
If the timing isn't right, carb adjustment is a waste of time.
If the engine runs, put it in base timing mode. Set the timing to specs. Remove from base timing mode then adjust carb mixture and speed.

 

[gadget73]

Re: Mercruiser timing or engine issue..?

What he said. Set the timing to 8, then mess with the carb. Might also want to verify the carb mounting bolts/nuts are tight, and the intake is properly torqued down.