1989 Prostar distributer advance.

[petetest]

hi
I have a 1989 Ford 351 LH Indmar Mastercraft. When I bought the boat the timing was set about 20 degrees BTDC. According to Richard and Vince at DIM it should be about 10 degrees BTDC at idle. I moved it to 10 and it starts and runs great. However top speed is only ~36mph. If I set it near 20 degrees it runs about 40mph @ 4000 rpm but idles a bit rough untill well warmed up. Also if I rev up the engine in neutral to a high RPM the Timing marks do not move ( no advance) Distributer has centrifugal weights and I have sprayed them down this week with Liquid Wrench but they appear to be stuck. Springs are in place and seem to be in good shape. I can carefully move them a very little bit with a screw driver blade. This is very hard and I don't want to bend/break anything. Should these weights move easily and should I be able the move (carefully) the rotor to make the weights sling out. Also how much of a timing advance should I see with the timing light as I rev the engine up to arround 4000 rpm. There is no engine knock at either setting and I am running an OJ 13' by 13' LH 4 blade. Also has electronic ignition. Screw on Dist. cap. New plugs/wires and good,even compression. (124-130PSI all).
Thanks for any thoughts,
Pete (member since last night!)

[TMCNo1]

Everything seems to be in order, but I would remove the springs and the weights and clean up the weights and the area they go in and coat everything with a light coat of oil and light grease, then replace. 10 degrees BTDC is correct, but the weights may not be moving.

BTW, welcome to Team Talk!

[petetest]

How can I get the weights out. There is a yellowish slotted plastic piece that holds the weights down and the weights have small nub that sticks up into this plastic retainer. The oval slots would allow them to sling out but this piece (about 1" wide,1/8 thick) also seems to prevent the removal of the weights. The plastic piece is attached to the center shaft of the distributer and I don't see any way to remove it. I could try and remove the springs. but the weights will still be stuck under that yellow thing.

[TMCNo1]

In that case just clean everything up the best you can and still light oil and or light grease everything up good and get them moving freely.

[RickDV]

Welcome Pete.

I have the exact same boat and engine as you. I do not know how the timing is set, but I am getting 42+ mph out of it (2 people in boat and no skier.) That is with the stock 13x13 prop. Are you running a different prop?

RickDV

[petetest]

Thanks for writing, I have a new OJ 13" by 13" 4 blade prop recommended by DIM. I also think my dist. advance is stuck. Boat runs 36.5mph when timing set to the correct 10 degrees BTDC. 39.8mph at 4000rpm when set initially to 20 degrees BTDC. speed checked with a GPS and speedo on a lake (no current) tach matching the boat speed tells me prop is correct for a 1 to 1 velvet drive.
I will continue to try and free up the advance weights in the distributor
Since I have electronic ignition can I put a wrench on the center lobes to help free up the weights. The electronic ign. does not seem to use this cam so I am not as concerned about scuffing it up. It uses a magnetic ring that is held precisly in place by the rotor. It looks like this cam and center shaft that the rotor sits on advances or rotates when the weights sling out. If I put a wrench on this cam, should I see the weights move? Also how do I get to the FAQ section pertaning to disassembling a distributor
Again, Thanks for the many quick replies
Pete

[kurtr]

If you go to the frequently asked questions by East Tx Skier there is a tutorial about the conversion to a electronic ignition. In this tutorial the pictures will describe how to take the rotor off of the distributor and get at the weights and springs. The weights could be rusted in place or the rotor could be rusted/stuck in place. It sounds like you are not getting any mechanical advance from the weights in your distributor.

[edwinfuqua]

Originally Posted by kurtr

If you go to the frequently asked questions by East Tx Skier there is a tutorial about the conversion to a electronic ignition. In this tutorial the pictures will describe how to take the rotor off of the distributor and get at the weights and springs. The weights could be rusted in place or the rotor could be rusted/stuck in place. It sounds like you are not getting any mechanical advance from the weights in your distributor.

I agree, upgrade to electronic ignition. Then start thinking about the prop. I don't get but about 48MPH no matter what prop I use. but the take off, acceleration and max RPM are different with each prop.

I am using an electronic ignition.

Edwin

[kurtr]

I think that this link will work for the faq page by East Tx Skier.

There is a lot of good info on this page. The part about the electronic ignition conversion is in the middle of the page. If I can count right it is about 15 questions down.

http://www.tmcowners.com/teamtalk/showthread.php?t=5427

[petetest]

Houston, we have found the problem! Thanks for the link, pictures work great. Removed the set spring but shaft is stuck on. I am soaking in penatrating oil and will try and remove it again tomorrow. I'm sure this is why I am not getting any advance.
Thanks again
Pete