55 Hp Evinrude WOT Timing Procedure The Joe Reeves Method. Did it Work?

It's This Old Outboard. CHECK OUT JOE REEVES METHOD PT. 2! • 1979 Evinrude 55 Hp. ... .
Just out of curiosity I wanted to try the Joe Reeves WOT Timing Procedure Method on the 55 Hp Evinrude Outboard Motor. And eventually the 40 Hp Johnson. Seems it may be off but I've got parts coming in. And whats up with the Fast Start Feature, do I have it?
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[@centralcoastcamper9631]

I've read on CDI ignitions that disconnected spark plug wires need to be grounded while cranking or damage to the CDI can result. I always practice this when doing compression tests.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Yeah sometimes I do and sometimes I dont. Never had a problem yet. Knock on wood! Hahaha Thanks again !

[@ct1762]

i think it's so the fuel spraying out the holes doesn't accidentally ignite into a giant fireball.

[@TimsWorkshopTJY]

Yep, I read it too so I made up 3 fat grd wires on to one big lug to tighten down to the start motor bolt grd. I put each end into the plug boots and crank it. But that's when I set timing with the timing light. Haven't done that doing compression check and had no problems yet. The mercury service manual doesn't state to ground it when doing compression test either but it does state to ground it when setting timing.

[@robertsenkmajer5730]

Or flip tether switch on remote throttle/shift if motor is on boat. Starter will still crank, but ignition won't be active

[@ct1762]

glad you got it sorted! One thing to consider: the last guy most assuredly had the shift cable incorrectly installed! if its not set up to just kiss the stop (spark advance armature) and it is allowed to go past were it should be because the high speed stop on the spark advance arm (the thing the throttle cable is attached to)was not adjusted with the little screw to were the carb roller pins are vertical, then every time you hit WOT, it pushes way too hard on it. Another reason not to skip the important section in the manual about how to install the shift and throttle cables correctly. 95% of people do it wrong. thanks for the video glad its coming along! I still say the 40hp will idle better and have more low-end grunt:)

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for the input. Yeah everything is a mess on it. Thanks again !

[@ct1762]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 hey nothing new. i find that luckily, guys screw up these motors so badly they don't run haha.

[@michaelfellini4418]

Hey my brother ..I've said it before and I'll say it again.. You are so damn patient that it astounds me... Rock on with your bad self .... Keep em comin'

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks again !

[@tootum1981]

Three water intake holes is the commercial 2-cylinder lower.Four water intake holes are the standard 2-cylinder lowers.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Thanks !

[@Fireship1]

Always good to know how to time one of these bad boys. I gotta go have a look at part two. I have a 48 SPL, so mine should be similar to the process your using here.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Yeah check it out. I'll be doing the 40hp too. Thanks & Happy Holidays !

[@chucklachmayer6991]

When you feel like a cripple, be like Fred Sanford and drink some Ripple !!!

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Big Dummy!

[@davekimbler2308]

Are you talking Fast Start or Quick Start ? I believe the motor isn’t new enough for Quick Start ! But I don’t work on new outboards that big . I think you need the correct bump stop to get it where it’s supposed to be !

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. What's up stranger. I've read both but the procedure states "Fast Start". Yeah I got the bumper. Happy Holidays !

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

The critical adjustment is 2 1/6 inch between the spark control rod. And spark control lever.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Ok. Once that's set to spec, the only thing to adjust is the WOT timing screw with the rubber bumper on it.

[@scottcoleman162]

My 73 50 has a safety switch that works similar to a neutral switch. It is mounted on the engine by the linkage arm near the throttle stop. When the throttle linkage is set past a certain amount it disables the starter solenoid. I guess it's a safety feature to keep you from starting the engine with too much throttle engaged. Maybe that's what they're referring to as a fast start feature... You wouldn't be able to do this timing procedure unless the switch is bypassed. I learned about the switch the hard way after replacing a solenoid that was perfectly good lol. My throttle cable was out of adjustment and had the safety switch engaged.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey Scott. Thanks for watching and commenting. Actually, from what I understand, the "fast start" feature didn't come around until later, early 90's I think, and is built into the power pack. I believe it was to eliminate the fast start lever on the control box. It signals the motor to run at a higher rpm until the motor warms up then drops back down to normal idle speed. There is a procedure to disconnect it so you can use the Joe Reeves Method. Pulling wires and grounding things. Pain in the azz. Nothing for these old outboards to worry about. Yeah, I've had my share of problems with neutral safety switches too. Hahaha Good thing the boat was tied to the dock! Thanks again & Stay Tuned !

[@scottcoleman162]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 that makes much more sense!

[@wish2fish37]

Thanks. I have another motor coming for parts if needed.You don’t need any parts from a 76 to 79 35hp?This seized ones going on the curb, not much left on it.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. No I think I'm good!

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

Yes Joe banjo Reeves. The 89 linkage does not allow for excessive or min. Idle or wot ignition timing. It all falls into place correctly ! Willy

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha Banjo. Somethings not right unless it has the "Fast Start" feature. ?

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

I did the om c sync and link ! 19deg and 4 deg. Cannot adjust to 15 deg. Like you want. Banjoe

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

@@williamhaskellhaskell3162 wow I don't know ?

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

My 48 has manual advance for starting. Warm up.

[@kodibassInsideoutboards]

The Man'' ,, The legend'' Hell Yes, !!!!,, He's Got This 4 sure. The Bestest 4 sure... ,, KODIBASS

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha. I hope I got it, or I thought I had it! Thanks again !

[@unsaltedlife5998]

How the weather up in the great white north? I’m thinking about going to Florida to hang out with you guys this winter.

[@mxnubtw117]

Holy Moly i am from Germany and nobody here can do what you do man. ! I have an 60 HP Johnson and its running but it isn shaking sometimes ! OK after Corona the Motor is out of Order 2-1/2 years. I have a Video and i would send to you what is your Expertise !

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for tuning in. Put the video on your channel and I'll check it out. Let me know! Thanks again & Stay tuned !

[@mwatkins2464]

Nice video. I know nothing about timing but I do have a evinrude 70 that’s about the same year as yours if you need any pictures. Don’t know if that would help any. Good luck 👍

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. I appreciate but no, no help. It didn't seem to work, not a big deal. Just was curious. Thanks for tuning in!

[@classiccat7403]

It's a good thing you were checking b/c it was probably last timed when the bumper was in there & they're pretty thick so you were making up for that! The tab being dented was also moving the WOT advance a bit. I'm also wondering if you were also bending the timing base tab as you were turning the screw with it still wired together? Normally 1 turn is approximately 1 degree.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Yeah 1 turn 1 deg. No it wasnt bending it was just snug. I had to twist it a few times to keep it snug. Oh well no big deal I'll just set it back where it was. Just something I wanted to try. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@classiccat7403]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 Imagine if you didn't check (or notice the bumper missing) and ran with it advanced as much as it was. Could've been ugly firing that early in the upstroke!

[@wish2fish37]

I was wondering on the starters if testing a starter off the outboard should the gear stay up all the time?Reason I asked is the 77’ 35hp I just tore the starter off spins and alittle penetrating oil and the gear comes up but doesn’t stay up.Never messed with a starter other than replacing one on a car a long time ago.thanks. Look forward to the continued saga..

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

What's up Florida maaan! My 89 48 hp won't even let me adjust my wot.static timing with the Joe Reeves method! She won't even let me adjust. 19 deg. Minus 4 ! I get 19 btdc. And 4 atdc. Yes hot rod ! It's the 89 linkage. She idles and plugs look good after wot! What's up? Bill central mass.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. What? Hahaha Its been a long day! So you can't adjust the timing. Are you doing the procedures right? forums.iboats.com/threads/joe-reeves-wot-timing-procedure-verified.225947/. ???

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

Your the outboard Florida son!

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha! C'mon Willy!

[@danielrobert7181]

Where's Kramden (probably mispelled - no disrespect intended) when you need him ? Lots of knowledgeable comments made here, my favorite is to get access to the OMC service manual (boats,no ?) as the first step. Sure always worked for me anyway. Stay safe and be merry !

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

You spelled it right. I'm sure he'll been around soon, then I'll take a beating! Hahaha. I have the omc factory service manual for this outboard. This procedure has absolutely nothing to do with the manual procedures. OMC stated the wot timing advance was 4 degrees, so this guy, Joe Reeves (he's all over the web and very knowledgeable, much like Kramden) came up with this procedure. So I wanted to try it out. Well as you can see I dont think it really worked. But I ordered the new rubber bumper for the stop screw and we'll just go from there. Thanks again !

[@unsaltedlife5998]

Heat sensor with 2 wires equal fast start

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for verifying that. I wished it worked but oh well. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@unsaltedlife5998]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 is the pointer adjustable for the timing ? I was trying to see in the video however if it is I always find true TDC and move it to that mark and go from there. I’m sure you know this being the guy I watch lol. Good luck best wishes from the now cold Midwest.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

@@unsaltedlife5998 Hey. No its stationer. In the video I called it the Arrow, Hahaha and I thought I should have said pointer!

[@timenfinger41]

Thank you TOO, it took me several of your videos to understand this method but I think I finally grasped it. But, I cannot find a free manual download on my 1984 25hp Johnson, can you tell me the timing settings for initial and WOT on this model? I really appreciate any help you can give me.

[@timenfinger41]

BTW, Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Happy Thanksgiving & Thanks for tuning in. Yeah nothing is free anymore. Try ebay for a good used OMC manual $20-30. If you search Joe Reeves WOT Timing Method you should find it on iboats forum, that way you'll have full instruction and may understand it better. There are risks if it's not done right. I think it 30 BTDC. which would put it at 26 BTDC. But before you do it are you sure it needs to be done and if it doesn't work will you be able to put it back where it was or be able to set it properly. Reason why is I just did it on my 25 to 30-35 build, don't know if you saw those recent videos, anyway, took it for the second run and it seemed to have lost speed/power. I had also swapped out the 25hp intake for the 35 intake before the 2nd run and it should have been faster but it wasn't. I started wondering if the J.R. Method would work on a 25 so I did a little research. Found a guy on iboats forum that had the same problem, almost identical to mine. He ended up getting a new timing light that you can see during the daylight to get the timing back to 30 BTDC. So now I have to reset it and try to get it back to normal. So if you do it, do it at your own risk! And if you do it let me know what happens! Thanks again !

[@timenfinger41]

Thank you very much, I will look into the ebay manual and I watch everyone of your videos so I did see your intake and carb jets swap, that was really interesting that it lost power. For mine, seems like it's turning too many RPM's at WOT after I adjusted the roller cam to open the butterfly between the two marks, so I just want to check the timing for peace of mind. I will definitely let you know how it goes. Looking forward to your next video!

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

@@timenfinger41adjusting the roller at the marks shouldn't have anything to do with the high speed timing. the slow speed and high speed timing are totally separate from each other. Check your butterfly position, in gear, not running, at full throttle, it should be perfectly horizontal and/or the roll pin on the butterfly shaft should be perfectly vertical. but it never hurts to check!

[@timenfinger41]

You're the man!! I thought it did affect the timing when I did that, you just made my day sir. I was worried that I was going to burn a piston because I thought I messed up the timing. I'm not touching it now that you corrected me, and thanks to you for your videos which greatly helped me get it running better than it ever has before....MUCH APPRECIATED

[@dougcook1176]

I wonder if you should verify the WOT timing once you get the motor on the water? Probably should verify correct RPM also with that big ass prop an there. This method might be fine but spark timing is too important to have ? marks. Good video shooting. Was easy to see what was going on.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Well Yeah I'll have to now. Yeah I'll just strap it to the trailer and set it hanging off the ramp. Thanks again for tuning in!

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

The ebko 15. And the 48 rude are boating in the am. ! Central mass ! 20 deg. And 2. She was at 22.5

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@ct1762]

its the white temp wire that is the QUICKSTART (not sure why everyone is calling it "fast start") temp sensing lead from the powerpack. Didn't start having that featuring until 1993 or so, so yours is most certainly not a quickstart. I don't think any 2 cyl loopers had it... only 3 cyl and up. started with the v6 loopers in i think 1991 or so.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Perfect. Just what I needed to hear. But why didnt it work?

[@ct1762]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 i'd wait to do the timing with the bump-stop installed or else it will be all out of whack. do you have a DVA meter to make sure the sensor coil is working properly? the coils were installed correctly Im pretty sure, but that would throw the timing out if the support plate was askew, but youve done so many im sure its not that. what kind of timing light is that? does it have a dwell setting that could be activating, throwing your readings off?

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

@@ct1762 No. no dwell setting. I picked that thing up 100 years ago at a yard sale! Thanks

[@ct1762]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 perhaps ground out the tan temp wire at the pack?

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

@@ct1762 ok

[@Free_Hander]

You and kramden should do a rebuild on 55 Evinrude

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha. Yeah I wish he lived here! Thanks again !

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

Mercury did hall ads. The were under rated from the omc

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Thanks for tuning in!

[@Free_Hander]

I like the music background

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Thanks !

[@TheFrogfeeder]

Hey you know that strip of aluminum and rubber insert that fiberglass boats usually have around the main seam? What is that officially called? I am trying to find some, but my google searches aren’t very successful... I have my hydrocycle in 2 pieces to fix some wood and stuff inside it, but the old aluminum-only strip that was on there originally is wasted... figured I’d try to find the rubber insert kind...

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. No sorry. I don't know, maybe its the bulkhead or stringer

[@JoshSees]

Rubrail?

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

Hi is Florida boating still fun!

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

It sure is!

[@codyodom6114]

Did you ever find out what the deal was about the spark tester gapped at 7/16?

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey Cody. I read that was just to confirm it has good spark/ignition. Thanks for tuning in!

[@stevejones6111]

So is the idle timing correct once the motor is set back up to a normal running condition?

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey Steve. Thanks for tuning in. Yeah thats what they say, Idle will take care of itself. Thanks again! Stay tuned !

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

How do I send pics to your hot rod out board motor world site?

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha! Better yet. Shoot some video and upload it to your channel !

[@TimsWorkshopTJY]

I set my WOT on my Merc 60hp using a bungee holding the timing arm all the way back on the stop. If I remember right there is a setting on the upper of the 3 carbs that there should be a gap allowance. I think my timing mark per my service manual called out a not under load of 22 degrees but like I said don't remember. When I took the boat in to have them check everything out they said the only things they found wrong was it needed new plugs and the carbs adjusted which I knew since all three were still set at the setup settings of 1 1/4 turns out. To set the carbs on a 2 stroke merc like mine they are set by rpm on idle. So the settings on timing and my carb link n sync were right on per my service manual for both idle and WOT. I was pretty happy with that and probably could have saved 700 bucks having them do this. Oh and they said my steering cable was seezed and had to buy a new one. Another 200 bucks ouch but did it myself. They would have charged me a fortune.

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Yeah I'd be happy too! Thanks again !

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

Hi ! Some merc.c.d.I. retard the spark wot. By 2 deg.!

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

Yes hot rod 50 hp rule!

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hahaha! I miss the old 55!

[@biggboyzconceptz1249]

I have a 79 55hp evinrude that I just can’t get it to run correctly need some help

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for tuning in. Yeah I had a hard time with this one, it ran great but couldn't keep it idling right. Best thing I can say is get a manual specific to the year/model, check ebay for a good used one. Go through the troubleshooting section, it will tell you everything you need to know/check, and save you a lot of time! I am curious though, what's it not doing? Hahaha Thanks again & Stay tuned !

[@biggboyzconceptz1249]

Thank you for the response

[@williamhaskellhaskell3162]

Yes I run 87 fuel and Wal-Mart 50:1oil!

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Me Too! or whats cheap!

[@gennarodimartino5777]

That motor does not have fast start just put the bumper on it it'll be fine

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks. I just ordered it. Thanks again ! Stay tuned !

[@TimothyGreenwood-sm7rm]

Any comments about the fast start

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey, Not that I can remember. Thanks again & Stay tuned !

[@Free_Hander]

Dam robo calls

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hate em!

[@theluckystrike6371]

🙂 👍🏻👍🏻

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Thanks again !

[@vinhoi69]

Do you trust this method?

[@THISOLDOUTBOARD1]

Hey. Thanks for tuning in. Yes, Joe Reeves master omc mechanic. If you test the method on an outboard that doesn't need the WOT timing adjusted the formula is correct. Thanks again & Stay tuned !

[@vinhoi69]

@@THISOLDOUTBOARD1 I did the timing of my engine (1989 Johnson 70 HP) exactly the way you've shown on your video. the engine runs a lot better than it used to be. It was about 5 degrees retarded. I have to advance the timing bolt like 5 to 6 turns counter clockwise to bring it back to the pointer. Now, it is close to the pointer but I can not advance it any further. the timing bolt is all the out. I have learned so much from you videos. Thank you so much. keep them coming.