I am helping a buddy with a new 2008 5.0 MPI engine replacement on a boat he bought with frozen engine. Are there any specific procedures for installing distributor and setting timing on this crank trigger flat cap set up? Cant find any information on this. Assumed it would be the same as earlier EFI's where a connector is plugged in to put in base mode to time. Apparently there is something different here, as I am having problems firing engine. Ai appreciate any suggestions.

It is NOT the same and it is NOT a distributor - it is called an HVS - High Voltage Switch.

All stock OEM Mercruiser and others using the HVS ignition set up - YES installing these has a specially requirement for proper phasing including the rotor. 99 % of the time even marine techs do it wrong nor know how to do the correct install and procedure. You need a scan tool to check cam angle after you have set as well to make sure you are spot on.

TIMING is NON ADJUSTABLE for all Mercruiser ECM 555 with the HVS systems and other marine manu's using MEFI 4 and 5 with the HVS.

No offense as I am already saving you the huge headache here and possible saving your brand new engine going by your posting about installing it wrong from the start - so with that said - if this is all greek to you, then I strongly recommend, that you bring it in to a certified full blown Mercruiser dealer only. Mess it up and you can mess up the new engine. Solid advice here and no offense -

I am in TX so too far for you to bring the boat in.

No offense taken. I appreciate the info. I have access to a Rinda tool, however, this may be best left to a dealer.

Manual 31 shows how to install the distributer and there is a bulletin which advises how to adjust if there is issues

http://www.marinemechanic.com/merc/d...fi-nostart.PDF

read post #'s 1 and 5 thru 7 - just a hair off in position and the engines does not run well and or just shuts down and or will not even throttle up.

Like I said, many including techs have a hard time with it, even using manual 31. That was a poor attempt by Mercruiser on how to explain the procedure for the proper phasing and install of the HVS in the service manual.

Have to ask have you done one before ? Honestly

Other problems are water reversion and hydorlock of the engine getting the install / phase of the HVS wrong right from the start.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/g...i-problem.html

Agree, moving the distributer 1/16 made the difference just as the Merc bulletin mentioned.

Will never say I know more then you BUP by any stretch of my imagination, you are the expert here. Just saying that folks at iboats have seen a lot of these and have not found one to which someone which has an attention to detail has not been able to fix them selves. Most of the time we have been able to supply the info and they have been able to fix the issue. The HVS caps (carp caps) are really bad, and even good looking caps have been found to be defective.

Not trying to challenge the issue, just offering another opinion

Oh no I was not looking at it that I am better than anyone or not. I was making a point that even myself sometimes will take a couple tries to get it right and I have done over 200 of these.

They can be a PITA and still its a hit or miss by a tad, believe me that tad miss is very frustrating plus the engine can have a really bad idle and or miss like you would'nt believe..

the last boat by the owner and his friends that came in to me who all tried to phase their HVS - Hydro locked their brand new engine rotating the HVS while running at the boat ramp. I am passing on the info to save all the problems that can happen with it and again just being a tad off.

hello BUP is there any way I can get in touch with you? I need some serious advice on some mercruiser 5.0 MPI

He’s no longer on oso.

Here is his website with contact info:
https://www.boatunlimited.com/

i have had success with cutting a pie out of the cap then running to get the rotor and cap lined up and yes if its off it will do strange things and cut out, you can always just rotate it a bit either way to get it running