Mercury 50hp thunderbolt 1974

[THEHIGHAMS]

Hi help I have cleaned the carburettors set the primary timing 8' btdc.set the wot 35'. Set the wot screw and plate. New coil new spark plugs. Replaced the switch box. The white wire from the distributor when on the switch box wasn't giving me a spark so left it off. The belt has been replaced and timing set to tbc with the 2 marks on the fly wheel and arrow on pully lined up with the second mark on flywheel.
Problem is it starts but will not tick over or rev. It just really struggles i also replaced the gasket set on the fuel pump. Any idea cheers Ken

 

[jimmbo]

When you say "set the primary timing 8' btdc, set the wot 35' "
Did you mean the Primary Pickup Timing at 8' btdc? That is where the Advance should be when the Carbs are just opening the tiniest bit, and I mean tiny, from being fully closed. It is not an Idle speed Timing Spec
Are you using a Mercury Service Manual?

 

[THEHIGHAMS]

When you say "set the primary timing 8' btdc, set the wot 35' "
Did you mean the Primary Pickup Timing at 8' btdc? That is where the Advance should be when the Carbs are just opening the tiniest bit, and I mean tiny, from being fully closed. It is not an Idle speed Timing Spec
Are you using a Mercury Service Manual?

Followed this exactly what it says still won't tick over or rev up

 

[THEHIGHAMS]

 

[jimmbo]

Is the Distributor rotating as you move the Throttle Linkage?