1994 Johnson 90 link/sync advice needed

[Inshan]

Hello, first post. Inshan, from Orlando, FL.
I recently bought a 1970 Boston Whaler 17 with a 1994 Johnson 90 Crossflow J90TLERC engine.
The engine ran fine on sea trial, and again when I ran it for the first time out. It did seem to buck a bit in reverse.
A few days later I took the cowl off an noticed that the max advance timing locknut was loose, and the thumbwheel nut was backed almost all the way off.
I figured this was a good time to give everything a once-over.

I ordered the service manual and read the sections on tune-up, link/sync. Book says you need test wheel/prop. Googled it and found Joe Reeves' timing method.
Today I did a cold compression test and got:
1 - 110psi
2 - 110psi
3 - 110psi
4 - 100psi

Followed Joe Reeves instruction for timing. All plugs out, full throttle, set to 24*. (spec is 28*).
Put it all back together and it started right up after priming on cold engine, on muffs. I pulled back throttle to idle after a few seconds and it would not idle lower than 2000rpm. I noticed there's some slop in the throttle bellcrank that seems to be allowing the timing advance rod to move, increasing the rpm.
Looking at the parts fiche, it seems I'm missing some bushings there P/N: 308532

Also noticed where the advance rod connects to timer base is a bit sloppy.
I made a short video that shows both.

https://youtu.be/hZlgNuOsmZU

Curious to know if anyone sees any other issues I may have, or if there's something else keeping the throttle lever off the idle stop.

 

[timguy]

Welcome to the Forum. The timer base link seems adequate, but the roller has too much slop. Just a little bit of timing advance will throw you off. This needs to be corrected, then readjusted to specs. Have carbs been synchronized so they are all at exactly the same throttle opening at idle? Before you do that, certainly, you must eliminate all slack in any carb linkage too.

 

[Inshan]

Welcome to the Forum. The timer base link seems adequate, but the roller has too much slop. Just a little bit of timing advance will throw you off. This needs to be corrected, then readjusted to specs. Have carbs been synchronized so they are all at exactly the same throttle opening at idle? Before you do that, certainly, you must eliminate all slack in any carb linkage too.

Thank you, I have those bushings on order as well as a couple others in the sync linkage. Carbs are synced, but as you said will need to be redone after installing bushings.

 

[riopga]

There is a part on the cam roller that can break off. Be sure it is in place. You can look it up on the engine diagrams on this site. It is a plastic sleeve that goes over the cam roller and adds about 1/8" of thickness to it. You won't be able to link and sync correctly without it.[h=1]0432639 - Cam Follower Roller[/h]

 

[Inshan]

There is a part on the cam roller that can break off. Be sure it is in place. You can look it up on the engine diagrams on this site. It is a plastic sleeve that goes over the cam roller and adds about 1/8" of thickness to it. You won't be able to link and sync correctly without it.0432639 - Cam Follower Roller

Looks like it's P/N 432572 on my engine. Previous owner told me it was recently replaced by mechanic, it looks new. Strange that they would do that one and not the others.