My 1997 454 Magnum mpi seems to be idling too fast. It is at 800 rpm. It was my understanding this should be around 600. I ordered the merc manual, but I am impatient. Maybe I am just paranoid but, this boat is new to me and I just want to be sure.

Thanks for any help.

Verify your tach before you freak too much.

800rpms is just fine for neutral idle speed. Might be a little high or the tach is off. It won't hurt anything either way.

I took a closer look at things. The distributor cap had a bolt broke off. It was raised off the base about 1/4" on one side. Replaced cap and rotor and everything is back to normal.