Hi:

Let me start over. I didn't mean to ruffel some of your tail feathers.

My name is Leonard.
I need some help with my boat engine.

To answer some of your questions:

Yes I used a timing light set it at 10.

The first time I set the valves I used the thumb in the hole. When it was at the top I set the exhaust & the intake lash & then 1/2 turn. I realize now I may not have been tdc on each cylinder.
The second time I watched the exhaust when it begins to open I adjusted the intake & when the intake is almost closed I adjusted the exhaust.
Both gave me the same results.
I have in the past in my cars adjusted while running but in my boat I don't want all the mess.

The distributor is Mallory no vacumn advance.
Also, I switched the carbs.
New plugs,wires,points,rotor& cap.
The shop did try to explain what is meant by sucking the valves up in the head but by me not being a mechanic I didn't understand.

The engine runs good at idle, you can hear like a popping out of the exhaust at 1500 rpm's, runs fairly good at 2500, tops out at around 3000.

Thanks to all who are tring to help and to the others!
Leonard.