Easy question...for an expert that is

[basbalj288]

I have a 1976 Johnson 85 hp outboard. The problem I'm having is that the motor will be running fine and then it will sometimes, rather spasmodically will drop 2 cylinders and run on 2 cylinders. My manual says that if it runs on 2 cylinders all the time it most likely will be the sensor coils or the powerpack. I ran the "checks" with an ohmmeter and both parts checked out fine. But while inspecting the motor, I found that 2 of the 4 ignition coils have inch long cracks in them (only a small gap though). Before buying new ignition coils, would that be a REASONABLE cause of the motor dropping 2 cylinders temporarily sometimes??
Just want to have the opinions of people more knowledgeable than myself before purchasing them and by the way if I do buy them I will go ahead and buy all 4 just because if 2 crack then the other 2 probably won't be too far behind.

Thanks!