1996 Evinrude OceanPro 200 Timing Base Plate

[wamair]

I left the engine throttle [for a 1996 Evinrude Ocean Pro] at wide open for a week after checking compressions. Now [the throttle] is stuck and the culprit is the timing base plate. How freely should the timing base plate move with the engine not running?

Any tips on repairs?

Thanks Phil

[jimh]

I'll offer some uninformed comments, since no one else has jumped in:

--the timing base is moved by the throttle lever linkage, so it should be quite easy to move it; the force needed should not be any greater than the force exerted by the throttle lever linkage;

--my off-the-cuff suggestion: disconnect the throttle lever linkage and try to move the timer base by hand; perhaps some corrosion developed in the week it was left in the full-throttle position, and the base is stuck in place from that.

Again, this advice is just seat-of-the-pants advice. Perhaps a real mechanic can comment.