Inline 6 Timing question and more..

[Surface_cutn]

1971 - 1350
The 3 white dots on the flywheel point to the arrow under the cap of the belt pulley at TDC ? I also have a pointer on the top cap and the case has an index on it for a line up also. They all don't match up at the same time. The book I have becomes kinda vague when it refers to a picture. The dots upon inspection line up to the arrow. How ever I took the boat out for the first time and It wouldn't get out of it's own tracks. My dad kept saying the timing was not right advance it and after I had checked everything I could think of I broke the timing screw loose (against my better judgement) and started backing it out and the thing blew outta the water and away we went. I looked at it and kept controll of the throttle from the back and told my dad to head for the trailer. Had the screw way out before it would really run any RPM's. Came home and ran a compression test. 135-138 all the way down.
Question is... should the dots on the flywheel align with the pointer instead of the arrow ?

I have not thrown a timing light on it yet but I did roll the screw back in far enough so that I could at least test it. Taking care not to damage the powerhead.

Other issue is Boat starts and as soon as you put it in gear and accell it will die. Must pump the ball slightly as it begins to fall off and just keep working it and then then it will pick up and go. Come back to idle and start the routine all over again. All jets in carbs are clean, float levels are correct, fuel pumps are new,spark plugs (NGK) are new, engine runs cool (new water pump working good), tried a known good portable fuel tank, No vapor coming forward from the venturi's (carbs), no water in the cylinders and it is prop'd right. When it gets up and goes it goes good. getting it there is another thing.. If it's the arrow it points to my next step is to test the distributor trigger. Oh, The boats a 1971 16 foot Kona

Thanks so much in advance. The site is awesome. Some of the stories from the old days just blow me way and the help here has been unreal.

Rick

[CharlieB53]

When all else fails........read the directions.
True words. You really do need a copy of the book.

Search this site for Link and Sync

Throttle and timing adjustments must be done correctly and in the proper order to get performance from your engine.

Idle speed is often adjusted by slight timing changes, the throttle control usually advances timing somewhat leading before opening the throttle.

Follow the directions carefully and many of your problems will resolve themselves.

[Surface_cutn]

I've done that. infact I've read almost anything that I could on inlines in here. My main question is about the pointer on the top pulley plate and the alignment mark on the case. What are they for ? Book says nothing except they are for timing alignments on some motors. Some earlier engines use those to align with the flywheel marks and my book says with mine to align the arrow with the dots on the flywheel at TDC on a typical motor. I know it's nothing different than any other inline 1350 of 71 but is it typical ? The illistration doesn't show these marks to even exsist.

[LightNBug]

In many cases the flywheel has been taken apart and not assembled correctly. Point the arrow to the crankshaft with number 1 at TDC and you will be correct. Also if the distributor has been apart and reassembled with the slotted disc upside down it will be impossible to get idle timing and advance timing to align properly.

Is it possible that when you were moving the timing advance stop screw you were also allowing the carbs to open fully? This is a possibility if the pick up collar on the distributor is not correct.

Hope this helps and good luck with that "Jewel".

[Surface_cutn]

I just gotta go to basics right now and put my timing light on it. Just wondering if anyone can tell me what the pointer is used for on the upper plate of the distributor drive pulley. Hopefully Raceman will stroll by here and let me in on it...:)

[baldad45]

The arrow on the dist pulley is used to syncronize the dist and flywheel.The arrow should point at the three dots on flywheel ,when in this position slip on the dist belt.The timing is set with a light using the 3 dots on the flywheel lined up against the timing tape .Should also be a white dot on top of flywheel inline with the 3 dots . After setting idle timing and carb sync you can set total timing to 20-21 deg ,good luck. Glen

[CrayzKirk]

On my 1970 1350, there is a little nub on the distributor pulley and one on the block. When those two are lined up, the motor is about 4 deg. BTDC which happens to be the primary throttle pickup setting. I didn't trust the timing decal on the cowling so I used a dial indicator to set the max timing to 0.101" BTDC for 19 deg. BTDC. At that point, I matched everything else up and set the primary and secondary throttle pickups.

The 1250 has two marks; one for distributor pulley alignment and the other for timing adjustment. I know because my 1350 ended up with a 1250 flywheel.

You don't need a timing light, simply remove the spark plugs and disconnect the throttle cable. Put a plug in #1 lead and ground it. Set the motor to the desired timing (turning clockwise only, don't go backwards if you go past the mark). Turn the key on and advance the throttle by hand until you hear the spark snap. Make your adjustments and recheck.

Once I set the maximum timing, I was able to get a reference point for the rest of the procedure. Fortunately, the decal matched up with the flywheel although there are no marks from 10 to 25 deg. on a 1970 1350.

The 66-74 Mercury manual describes the process pretty well. If you don't have one, I would get one for that motor.

Kirk S.

[Surface_cutn]

Sorry guy's, I've been gone for a while. Thanks for the great advice.

Rick