Timing and Synchronization of 1982 Merc 200 Outboard

T

tecoon

New member
Hi,

Anyone have any tips on timing and synchronization? Or anyone know someone in the Southern NY/Southern CT area that I could pay to do this work?

I have called around and stopped by a few different marinas that work on Mercs and none of the service guys I spoke with even seemed to know what a dial indicator is...so I wasn't too confident about letting them do the job.

I don't have a dial indicator or a timing light but I could buy both and attempt to do this job myself. I have the manual that has the step by step procedures and the proper adjustments/settings.

The motor took a dip in the water when it was on my old Glastron so I had to rebuild the starter, replace the rectifier, internal switch boxes, and an ignition coil. Now I have the motor on my V20 and it runs but when I give it throttle it either stalls out or shoots up to 4000 rpms when it should only be at about 2500. Even when I am trying to cruise at 3000 or so, the thing speeds up and slows down on it's own without me even touching the throttle. The manual says any time electrical parts are replaced, the timing and sync must be rechecked/reset.

Any chance that I won't need the dial indicator and I could just go with the timing light? Or could the problem be something other than the timing? Compression is good, sparks are all good, fuel seems to flow well, new gas, new fuel/water separator.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

David
 
Get a real Merc manual off ebay . . . they pop up now and again for $20.

also this is a pretty good write up. I wouldn't go as high as 25 degrees, b/c I'm a little more conservative.

http://www.hydrostream.org/ArticleArchives/Timing.htm


That's a great motor. I run the same powerhead (80's mid section and 90's lower unit) on my seacraft.

Disconnect the spark advance modules and throw them in the garbage . . . Also check the wiring trigger and stator while your at it. I'm almost 100% the spark adavance modules/idle stabilers module is your problem. They sit above the carbs on the airbox on that vintage engine.
 
If you still have bogging issue after you remove the modules . . . check the stator. You can test the voltages with a multi meter.

Also a good idea to inspect all the wiring and the coils.
 
Also Harbor Freight sell a digital dial indicator that you can zero out . . . without sliding or turning the face. It can be modified to work. I'm in the process of moving, but when I get to MA . . . I can maybe do a little write up. SparesParts on this site is a mercury mechanic and might have some good insight or tricks to make a dial indicator or on timing the motor. The Merc Dial indicator is about $140.

One more thing . . . make sure you are running good fuel . . . run off a 6 gallon tank to be sure. I don't think this is fuel related . . . how long did you run the motor after it sank?
 
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allways had the merc dial indicator, it works real good, ferms the outboard expert here, I just read it from the manual when I do one( got too much crap in my head to remember it)
 
I don't know about outboard expert, but I do dabble with them a bit. I'm actually an outcast for finding TDC, I use a spark plug and have yet to be off. I insert a spark plug in the hole backwards and gently rotate it up until it touch's the piston dome and mark the flywheel, and then do the same the other direction. Take a piece of fishing line or something and cut it to the length in between the 2 marks, then fold it in half. Lay it up to one of the marks and rotate the flywheel until the end of the string lines up with the pointer, then set the pointer to the TDC mark on the flywheel. Hasn't let me down yet, and no special tools required. BS is the MERC guy here, I only play with em a little. I like my JOHNSON'S:love:.
 
I like my JOHNSON'S:love:

DAmm! I was begiing to like you, now you go and say something like that. You do realize CTT is going to be all over that.

Seriously, that is a good way to find tdc, I do somethiing close to that when degreing in a cam on a motor. You can also make a dial indicator tool adapter using a compresion tester adaptor and any decent dial indicator, just drill it for a thumb screw, and ream the internal hole thru the adaptor for your dial indicator. You may still need an extension for the dial indicator for it to reach the piston depending on how long it is. I haven't checked, but someone mentiod Harbour Freight has a motorcycle timing set( which is what Mercury sells minus a few adaptors), I haven't checked, but if you need one. I would also check with central tool, and MSC. Check with a couple motorcycle shops to see where they got theres
 
Timing point is adjustable and it sits on the flywheel cover. You need to verify that .462 on the flywheel lines up with the timing mark . . . if I remeber correctly.
 
Thanks for all the advice guys. I am going to remove the spark advance module like bigshrimpin suggested and try THEFERMANATOR's method for the timing....hopefully I'll get lucky!

I'll post back with the results in a day or so.
 
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