My official Mercury manual for my 1980s 50 and 70hp 2-stroke outboards sets timing using the starter only and the engine isn't started.You guys actually crank up your motors and run the at WOT to check the timing? I've never had to do that before! On my Yamaha's and I think on some OMC's there are marks on the timing plate that you line up with other marks and simply put the control in WOT position and set the timing plate position so the marks line up correctly. I can't imagine holding a timing light and adjusting timing on an outboard that's turing 5,000 RPM's. That scares me just thinking about it!
From a Mercury Service Manual;Is that a Mercury service manual? The Clymer and Seloc service manuals often have big mistake in their instructions. I am not an expert on your motor, but all of the other motors that I have seen with ADI ignition have a spec for idle pickup timing that is in the ATDC range. I have never seen a Merc that specified idle timing, nor one that had a range from ATDC to BTDC.
Thank you Sir. That is exactly who I was going to contact in the morning. Thank you the reply much appreciated.Gee, a site like Crowleymarine will give you a part number. You may need your serial number to get the right part number.
Sierra or other aftermarket sources should be able to sell you something to replace your current stator. Some of those stators were lousy, so Merc made replacements. I am not sure if your motor falls into that group.