Hop,
The Merc box just goes from point A to (eventually) point B = total degrees. Just run the RPM to 3000 RPM and move the distributor until you are at 34 degrees. Don't be concerned with the initial timing. It is not likely that anything is wrong with the Merc ignition box.
Ben

Sounds like your running a V8-24 module. That doesnt mean that you can only get 24 degrees of timing, just means that theres 24 degrees built into the module. It will advance to 34 degrees no problem.

I got to mess with the timing again today and may have found a solution. I may have a bad timing light. Instead of dialing advance into the gun I left it at 0 and found the timing mark no long jumped. I was then able to set the advance to 8 deg. on the factory tab.

I made a couple of vids to show what the jumping mark looked like, the first is with an 8 deg. advance dialed into the gun and the second is with the gun set to 0.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d72xH...eature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7kHX...eature=channel

I still may get the MSD distirbutor but hopefully I can get by with this for now.