Setting ignition timing

[Sunsetter]

I am trying to set/ check the timing on my 2002 Sunsetter- it has the 310hp carb 5.7 liter indmar. I had a valve go bad and had new intake valves put in- the manual says I need an adaptor to allow the computer to go into base timing mode. Looking around it seems like this adaptor plugs into the pin connector at the base of the distributor and shorts out 2 of the pins and then you connect a +_12 volt source to the third pin- has anyone ever made one of these adaptors- and used it succesfully? I am having a little trouble finding one. The engine starts fine and seems to run OK idling in the driveway- but I would like to make sure as the distibutor was removed to get at the heads. Also the harmonic balancer does not seem to have any other marks on it other than the 0 degree mark- I am guessing I will have to figure out where the 10 degree mark should be and paint a line on there. Thanks- Tom

[88Skier]

You definately need the plug. I tried timing mine last summer w/o it and ended up putting it back where it was, (there was a line drawn on the distributor). I haven't gotten a plug yet, but would think DIM would have them.

[68Slalom]

Your only other option would be to have an adjustable timing light and do a total advance @ 35-38 degrees instead of 10 degrees at idle (depends on what octane gas you run). Or mark buy a degree"d" marker for your damper, but your still going to need a good timing light to get this done right.

[vette-ski]

OK, I'm confused. Would the carb motor be different than a Monsoon? I guess maybe it is if you don't have an ecm controlling things. I'm 95% positive when I did my Monsoon there was a plug already on the pigtail and I pulled it off to put the motor at base timing mode. Then when timing was set I reinstalled the plug. The carb motor must be just the opposite.

[Sunsetter]

Thanks- I will call DIM- could not find it on thier website. Vette- ski- my distributor has two spots to plug into- one is a two wire which has a plug and wires going to it- the other is a 4-pin spot that doesn't have anything in it - but that's where you plug this adaptor into when you are setting the timing from what I understand. Thanks for the responses- Tom

[MoonDawg]

I have been looking through my Indmar 1983-2003 shop manual and can't find a carb version that has a computer.

Are you shure it is a carb and not a center mounted Throttle body? That is what I have on my 1996 RLX it kind of looks like a carb but it only sucks air and fuel is injected at the ports.

If you have the EFI with center mount then you will have a MEFI computer and then you need a Code-Mate tester or you need to short two pins with a paper clip to set the MEFI in Diagnostic Test mode.

A year ago the best deal I could find on the Code-Mate was at Rinda they were half the price of skidim. However, when I checked today there was no price posted at Rinda.

If you take the cheap route and use the paper clip then short it between pin A(Gnd) & pin B(Test) on the diagnostic connector. This will put the MEFI in base timing mode and then set the timing at 10 deg BTDC.

[99response]

Indmar sent a bunch of engines out a few years ago without the timing stickers on them. If you can find one just stick it on to get your 10 deg mark.

[MoonDawg]

I found on Page 195 of the Indmar Manual a section on Delco EST ingnition systems. This may be what you have after re-reading what you posted about a connector that sets the distributor module into base timing mode.

Here is what it says...

On models using a Delco EST set the base timing as follows:

1) Stop engine

2) Attach adapter (Volvo Penta P/N 885163-6 or OMC P/N 986662)

3) Connect wire end of adapter to a battery positive source

4) start engine and run at idle speed

5) Align the timing mark with 10 deg BTDC

As a check after removing the connector and restoring back to normal, see if idle is at 11 deg at 600 RPM and 17 deg at 1600 RPM

Here is a link to sources:

Volvo Penta P/N 885163-6

$9.22

Mercruiser Part#, 817374A01

$9.25

Quicksilver P/N 91-818812A1

$5.25

I found a note: "you can use an automotive shunt, you just have to extend the wire that you put to B+"

another note: " If you have the wiring diagram, all you have to do is use a jumper wire from the module pin to a source of B+. That will "freeze" the variable timing mode and allow you to set the base timing"

and yet another: "There are 2 plugs on the Delco EST ignition module - a 2 pin that connects to the coil, and a three pin. I connected the timing harness to the 3 pin connection (which has as loop between 2 pins and a loose wire) and connected the loose wire to +12v."

Here is a picture of one: looks like the pin on the right and middle are shorted together and the left pin goes to the battery

Edited November 28, 2007 by MoonDawg

[MoonDawg]

Check page 63 of the Indmar manual

It shows a picture of the Timing Shunt Indmar P/N 801012

This part appears to loop the right and middle pins together and the left pin goes to +12 Volts

[emitchell]

On 11/28/2007 at 2:47 PM, MoonDawg said:

I found on Page 195 of the Indmar Manual a section on Delco EST ingnition systems. This may be what you have after re-reading what you posted about a connector that sets the distributor module into base timing mode.

Here is what it says...

On models using a Delco EST set the base timing as follows:

1) Stop engine

2) Attach adapter (Volvo Penta P/N 885163-6 or OMC P/N 986662)

3) Connect wire end of adapter to a battery positive source

4) start engine and run at idle speed

5) Align the timing mark with 10 deg BTDC

As a check after removing the connector and restoring back to normal, see if idle is at 11 deg at 600 RPM and 17 deg at 1600 RPM

Here is a link to sources:

Volvo Penta P/N 885163-6

$9.22

Mercruiser Part#, 817374A01

$9.25

Quicksilver P/N 91-818812A1

$5.25

I found a note: "you can use an automotive shunt, you just have to extend the wire that you put to B+"

another note: " If you have the wiring diagram, all you have to do is use a jumper wire from the module pin to a source of B+. That will "freeze" the variable timing mode and allow you to set the base timing"

and yet another: "There are 2 plugs on the Delco EST ignition module - a 2 pin that connects to the coil, and a three pin. I connected the timing harness to the 3 pin connection (which has as loop between 2 pins and a loose wire) and connected the loose wire to +12v."

Here is a picture of one: looks like the pin on the right and middle are shorted together and the left pin goes to the battery

On my 2004 Wakesetter wich is fuel injected with fuel fump. I only have a Three pin and a four pin plug and i can not verify were they are going to. Would the above info aply to my 04 Monsoon engine?

[emitchell]

On my 2004 Wakesetter, wich is fuel injected with fuel fump. I only have a Three pin and a four pin spare plugs and i can not verify were they are going to. Would the above info aply to my 04 Monsoon engine?