Getting my 82 9.8hp starting

[stuee1]

Hi, i was given an 82 9.8hp mercury,
He couldnt get it started. ive been playing with it and found no spark and tracked it to the kill switch was corroded, i joined the wirers together and now get a spark, now its not starting but backfiring everynow and again. Ive tried the start spray and thaty backfires too.
Ive tried new fuel and new plugs.
Is there a way to reset the timing to default so i can start from scratch or is there anything else i can try.

thanks

 

[MTboatguy]

There should be a sticker on the top of the flywheel that tells you what the timing is on that motor, Mercury has put them on their motors for decades now, what is the serial number on the motor, what carb does it have on it, before playing with the timing I would be checking the carb and fuel system. Also, make sure the plugs are good and gaped correctly. Be very careful with the starting fluid, using it can blow a 2 stroke up, I know, I did it!