How do you set the timing on a 40 hp Mercury outboard
While driving the boat to the launch, it started, ran fine until almost there. Then the overheat alarm went off and the engine quit. There was water coming out of the port so I think the water pump is OK. It won't crank over until it' cooled down. Now it cranks over but won't start. Checked the fuel supply, fuel filter and plugs. Put new plugs in and checked that I'm getting spark to both. OK there. I've got fuel, air and spark. The only thing I can think of is the timing went off for some reason. Every once in a while it will pop like its trying to start but it only pops once, then I'll keep cranking it and it will pop again but never start. I can see two different timing references on the motor but don't know where to go from there.