I need to check the timing on a 91 454 carb engine,
no vacuum advanvce on distributor.
I think you need to cut a wire.
which wire and where is it located
thanx

DONT CUT ANY WIRES,with the boat running in the water,and up to operating temperature,in neutral,check total timing at 3000 rpm,[you must use a timing lite that shows total advance].set it at 32 degreese advance,

You do not need to do anything special. Just hook up the timing light. Chances are it has a V8-24 module and you will need to rev to 3700rpms to check full advance.

my operators manual says 8 degress of timing,
i assume that is base timing, should that be checked?

Factory setting is 8* base and 32* total.
I would bump it to 10* and 34* total.

thanx guys, i'll get her done tomorrow, this is an old boat i'm selling and trying to get the bugs out, was running hot after
taking heads off so i am hoping it is timing.

edit, got it done runs perfect, temps back to normal.
thanx