2.5 idle timing/idle jets

[pinbuoy]

1993 2.5/245 carb motor mounted on 1989 2.4/200 mid with bell tuner, can pulled and exhaust drilled. Stock lower unit, no LWP's. Hard to start, oil slick in water, lots of smoke. I tried to lean out the idle mixture screws on the carbs, but starting getting a hot horn after a few minutes of continuos no-wake idling. The only way the motor runs at idle in gear is to have the idle timing so far advanced that the idle timing screw is screwed all the way in as far as it will go. At idle(not in gear), timing light shows the number 2 on the flywheel about an inch to the left of the timing pointer. Does that sound right?? I was told I need to go up 2 sizes in idle jets to cure starting/smoking/idle performance problem. When I re-jet, should I retard the idle timing? Is this all caused by the exhaust being relieved? Who can get me idle jets quick?

pinbuoy

[Capt.Insane-o]

Check your fuel pump diaphram and your needles and seats in the carbs. also the bleed system in the crankcase could be plugged or gooed up.