Re: 1985 bay liner Capri 2.1 ltr carb issue
Never used a dwell meter but the points look good. I have to turn it over about 6 times and it will fire but not run. After a few tries it idles enough to disengage the gear
There is a lot more to points than a visual inspection.
For starters set the gap to the correct value. This will give you are starting point if you do not have a dwell meter.
Then when the engine is running set the timing with a timing light and verify that the mechanical advance is working. You should have around 34-38 at 4,000 RPM if I remember correctly. Usually you end up with 6-10 at idle.
Note that due to the water pump etc. you set the idle to 900 per the boat manual instead of the 750 the engine manual calls for. That is a no load idle setting.
Explain to me please what exactly you are doing during start. I do not understand what you mean that it has to idle for a little while before you can disengage the gear. The gear should be disengaged before you even try to start it.
The way you describe it, it sounds like you are starting it in gear - which really shouldn't be possible if the neutral safety switch is working.