I have removed the idle stabilizer module from my 1997 Mercury 150 EFI engine, serial number 0G478627. I left the Idle Stabilizer Shift Kit installed. In going through the required sync & link procedure, my Mercury service manual says that the idle speed/pick up timing should be set to 0-9 degrees ATDC. The manual also says that the maximum timing at cranking speed should be retarded 3 degrees (for models equipped with idle stabilizer shift kit) from the specified 20 degrees BTDC, resulting in a 17 degree BTDC setting. My questions are:
- 0-9 degrees ATDC is a wide range for the idle speed timing setting. Is there a specific setting that works best?
- Is there a different and more preferred setting for the maximum timing, or should I stick with the manual's specification of 17 degrees BTDC?
- I understand and am comfortable with checking the timing at idle speed with the engine running, but I am not comfortable with checking the setting for maximum timing with the engine running, at approximately 2,500 RPM. How does one safely perform the maximum timing/engine running step?
Thanks in advance for your advice!