Because I've been having idling issues,have done everything under the sun,to rectify the situation, decided to look into the Reed's and they weren't seating properly, original one's from 71There is certainly a torque sequence and value. It sounds like you need an accurate service manual. See if marineengine has one for you.
Why are you replacing the reeds?
It runs better now ,idle is a lot smoother, definitely made a differenceLet us know how it idles with new reed valves.