Missing timing tab? Merc 4.3 2005

MichaelBC

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Feb 28, 2020
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110
Hello,

on your second picture I can see the timing mark on the chain cover. 1.jpg2.jpg

On your balancer there is also a gap that indicates 0°.

So what I did is to measure the diameter of the balancer and calculate the way for 1°. With this value I printed a sticker for my Mercruiser on my label printer which works perfectly. I changed to white on black because this is better to read in the timing flash.


3.jpg

I attached this with the 0 line over the gap of the balancer and that's it.

4.jpg
 

Kubaat3lover

Chief Petty Officer
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Jun 6, 2019
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Ok that might be difficult because there is a lack of space... anyway, in case I do not have this sticker on balancer, only 0 gap. DO I need adjustable ignition timing lamp??
According to the Manual I should have this tab, why its missing ? 1625611479240.png

How Do I know if its set correctly?
 
Last edited:

Scott06

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Apr 20, 2014
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Ok that might be difficult because there is a lack of space... anyway, in case I do not have this sticker on balancer, only 0 gap. DO I need adjustable ignition timing lamp??
According to the Manual I should have this tab, why its missing ? View attachment 344766

How Do I know if its set correctly?
Dont know why yours is different, but it you only have one mark on balancer would think it is tdc/zero Degrees. In that case either use a timing tape or advance timing light
 

Kubaat3lover

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On advance timing light i set 10* and while pointing all the marks should be aligned?
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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According to the Manual I should have this tab, why its missing ? View attachment 344766

How Do I know if its set correctly?
Because you are looking at an older manual or the image is from a 95 or earlier motor with a stamped stwel timing cover

You should have the voyager distributor, put the distributor in base timing mode and follow the instructions
 

Scott06

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On advance timing light i set 10* and while pointing all the marks should be aligned?
Yes timing light will advance the light 10 degrees so it lines up with the tdc mark. I think you have the thunderbolt V so you need it to be in base mode to set.
 

Sunburn71

Seaman Apprentice
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Jul 4, 2021
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A timing light with advance function makes everything easier. With no degree pointer, the timing lamp can be set to the specified degrees and the marks should line up if adjusted properly. As stated above, if you have the engine in base timing mode, the marks should line up if the timing light is set to the proper degrees.
 

Kubaat3lover

Chief Petty Officer
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Jun 6, 2019
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Ok bought the adjustable light, but dont have the idle speed function in it.
Heres the screenshot from the video I made, I think the timing is correct, it shows 10* maybe 11 but i can be also the error of the angle
 

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MichaelBC

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Feb 28, 2020
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What do you mean with idle speed function ?

On your picture you have the sticker with the degrees. So why did you buy an adjustable light ?
 

Kubaat3lover

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Jun 6, 2019
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Sorry I mean the tachometer... i tought i dont have the timing tape but it was there. From 0 to the right its Btdc Or Atdc?
 

Sunburn71

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Jul 4, 2021
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In post #3 it shows the timing pointer you thought you should have had. It also shows before TDC and after TDC. In the picture, If engine turns clockwise, the Left of 0 degrees would be before TDC.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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In post #3 it shows the timing pointer you thought you should have had. It also shows before TDC and after TDC. In the picture, If engine turns clockwise, the Left of 0 degrees would be before TDC.
Post #3 shows a 1995 or older timing tab
 

nola mike

Vice Admiral
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Apr 22, 2009
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How confusing. Marks to the right on the damper are BTDC, marks on the left of the pointer on the timing cover are BTDC (which you don't have). Depends on your reference. Your timing tape has BTDC on the right when referenced against the stationary TDC mark on the cover
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
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27,468
Ok bought the adjustable light,
What did you buy (make, model) and we can have a look at it and let you know what you need to do.

I have an Innova 5568. It can do advance, 1 to 12 cylinders, 4 stroke/2 stroke, points dwell, RPM display, battery voltage....

Chris....
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
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27,468
If you're not looking to see what the timing is, and you're only looking to set it to the correct advance, just paint a line on the balancer at the right point.
The formula is L=A/360*π*D (L=length from 0° to required advance, A=degrees of advance, D is the diameter of the pulley), so for 10° advance on a pulley with a diameter of 150mm, the line will be 13mm before the zero line..

Chris.........
 

Kubaat3lover

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Jun 6, 2019
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Chris ive the implest timing lamp with rotary knob when you can set the timing from 0-60*
 
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