What should the timing be on 1997 502 MPI WITH DISTRIBUTERS, AND DO YOU NEED TO DO ANYTHING WITH WIRES TO CHECK IT.

Thanks

8 degrees before top dead center and yes you do need to put the ECM in service mode, It been to long for me to tell you what wires to cross at the data link connector to bee 100% sure, But I did read some one on here said to cross pins A and B and that might do it and it sounds right but I do not remember for sure, You might try asking eddie at Young preformance or do a search on here and you should find it, It was not that long ago some asked about the same thing. And also depending on what MEFI 1 or 2 you have when you do put it in service you may need to rev the engine up tp 1800 rpm then go in service mode or the engine will die, and if you have MEFI 3 then you leave it at idle and the ECM will raise the idle for you as soon as you put it in service mode. Also I found a merc service manual for around your year and if you save it in your computer it will be good info for when you need to do something to your engine. And this could save you $70.00 or more http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/16/16cov2_1.pdf