Re: '82 mercury 50Hp stalling when in gear.
Welcome to iboats. First thing, stop running this motor until the problem is fixed. The reason being, it is probably missing on one or more cylinder. If the miss is caused by fuel starvation, you could be grinding those cylinders not receiving fuel into metal shavings (no gas/no lube).<br />Buy or make a sprak tester, and test for spark.<br />If all four have sprak, check plugs for two dry ones ,side-by-side.. While you have the plugs out, note thier condition (fouled? too clean? metal particles on anoode? ect).