Timing Questions 50 HP Johnson

[Sureshot]

Hello, I have a 2-stroke 50 HP 2000 Johnson (J50PLSSM) I'm trying to get ready to go. Powerhead has been rebuilt and Link/Sync completed. I hooked up a timing light and using Joe Reeves static timing method, my engine seems to be a few degrees under what it should be based on his documentation. So I should be able to advance the timing a bit and it should check out. What is bothering me is the maximum spark advance control rod has some type of orange sealer on the screw thread I assume to prevent it from being advanced too much. So basically I'm wondering, does a rebuild itself cause a motor to go out of time? I'm a little nervous advancing the timing past what (I'm assuming Johnson technicians) set it to based on the orange thread sealant on the maximum spark advance rod. Thanks!