1989 Merc 15 hp no start

Hello to all. I am working on a 1989 Merc 15hp. # OC241585 The motor has the forward and reverse on the tiller handle, instead of on the right side of the motor. I just finished replacing the water pump and going over the lower unit. Everything went back together fine, however the motor does not want to start. It will try to start with choke on, but wont run. When I say try to start it more like coughs and putts out a little smoke. Have put in new plugs, and checked for spark, everything is good. Compression is 125 and 130. I am wondering if there is some kind of neutral saftey switch on this modle or if something is wrong that I am not used to with this kind of shifter. Any ideas ?? Thanks in advance for all of the help.

Re: 1989 Merc 15 hp no start

You might want to unplug the 2 kill switches they can cause alot of grief, then if it starts plug them in one at a time to see which it is u usally the one in the handle