Mercury 50hp 1983 timing issue.

[INDYCAVER1]

Hi I have been dealing with issues on my motor for a while and decided to rebuild carbs. I put it back together and was trying to link and sync it but I am having trouble with the timing. Does a normal inductive timing light work on these old 2 strokes. I had it running and was trying to see the Max timing advance,. But even at idle the timing marks are about 1/4 of the way around the flywheel when the strobe goes off from the timing pointer. Is my timing off that far or is my timing light no compatable with a 2 strokes engine? I started this whole project because I can idle fine, but can't reach over 3000 rpms at wot. Would the timing be the reason, and how do I fix it any advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[INDYCAVER1]

Ok here is an update. I downloaded an cdi troubleshooting guide and read up how start sorting out my problems. I pulled the #1 plug and manually spun the motor over with the plug grounded out and didn't see any spark. Same thing on #2. I hooked up the hose and started to motor. Shut it down and unnhooked the #1 plug wire and restarted with no changed and did the same thing with #2. No change in rpms or any thing. I can put 1 and 2 plug wires on and disconnect #3 or #4 wire and it won't run. It acts like it wants to but 1 cyl isn't enough to keep it running. If I hook the timing light to #1 or #2 it flashes but not consistently like if I put the timing light on #3 or #4. The trouble shooting guide said if you are misfiring or nonspark on #1&#2 or #3&#4 to swap the trigger wires on switch box. It says if the problem moves to the opposite 2 cylinders it's most likely stator is bad. If the same 2 cylinders are still not sparking it is bad switch box. I feel like this is my issue. When I swapped the wires #1 and #2 still no fire. I even took the coils from #1 and #2 and switched them To #3 and #4 and they were firing just fine so coils are definitely good. I guess I will try a switch box see if that takes care of it.

 

[jimmbo]

Move the wires from the Switchbox to the coils to see if the problem moves

 

[INDYCAVER1]

Replaced switch box and now I have spark in all 4 cyl. Hopefully take it out in the morning and see if I have full power again