Strong Coffee..... Do Not speak in generalities such as "Good Spark" or compression is "Great" or right around a certain figure, that sort of thing means nothing to us. We need info that is specific such as "racerone" speaks of above.
If you need to have the idle so high that the engine SLAMS into gear when shifted, something is vastly wrong such as compression, improper ignition, synchronization, something! You need to go back and start over with the trouble shooting procedure, making sure that all is as it should be.
Start with the carburetors... the throttle linkages between the carburetors. Back the roller away so that it is not touching the metal cam. Double check those linkages so that all three throttle butterflies start to open and close at the same time. You do not want for instance... two butterflies closed and one ever so slightly open.
The distance between the vertical throttle arm and the metal cam must be exactly as per this diagram.
Now.... align the scribe mark (adjust the roller) so that the throttle butterflies just start to open when the 1st scribe mark is dead center with the center of the roller... not before or after. This takes care of the synchronization process.
Remove all spark plugs... What is the compression psi readings of each cylinders. Top cylinder is #1.
All plugs still removed... the spark must jump a 7/16" gap with a strong blue lightning like flame... a real SNAP! Does it?
Spark plugs should be Champion QL77JC4 plugs gaped at either .030 (long life) or .040 (strong spark)
If adjusting the idle on a flushette, depending on the shaft length it should be set to:
20" shaft - 1000 rpm
25" shaft - 1200 rpm
The idle will drop to normal when in the water due to exhaust back pressure.
Let us know what you find.