If you are running points and condenser you may be experiencing an ever decreasing strength of spark because the distributor cam lobes on the shaft are wearing down. As this occurs it is necessary to keep decreasing the point gap to achieve specified dwell. The specs in the manuals (.018" to .020") become irrelevant. Last year in Florida I had a distributor running an engine at .003" point gap - I know, sounds unbelievable but it was true. Because there is no source (that I know of) for new distributor cams the smart play is EI available thru Moyer Marine. I was one of the last holdouts but since going to EI my starts are quicker and smoother and require less battery drain.
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