Jammed or seized timing plate on Evinrude 9.9

[driver0606]

Hello, I have a 1989 9.9 Evinrude with electric start that my have been retrofitted. It has been in daily use although the throttle control seemed to be perhaps stiffening up a little recently. Yesterday it started normally (by hand), but would only run at a slightly fast idle. Home made remote controls are fitted, but even with these disconnected, the timing plate is solid. Its not one of the interlocks, but feels absolutely solid, as if it has been welded in place. It has always moved freely before. To confirm, there are now no control connections to the timing plate. I can speed the engine up only by gently pulling the cam roller. Any ideas, please?

 

[driver0606]

No replies, but for anybody who is interested, it turned out to be corrosion in the timing plate bearing. Apparently its not unusual, but the speed at which it went from usable to seized caught me by surprise.