Mercruiser 188 hp/888 starts but will not stay running

[holorinhal]

I have just inherited a 1974 25 ft Wellcraft Nova with twin Mercruiser 188 hp/ 888 outdrives. The engines are 302 ford's.
The boat was last out on the water last summer.
I am trying to get the engines running good. The engines will fire right up with starting fluid, but they will not stay running. I am guessing a fuel problem.
Does any one have any sugestions as to things to check out?
Can I replace the Mechanical fuel pumps with any fuel pump for a 302 from the Auto parts? Any help is appreciated!..

[holorinhal]

I got the port side engine running fairly smoothly, bog down when throtle is advanced fast, but runs up fine when throtled slowly.
The starbord side engine I took loose the fuel line from the carb and turned over the engine and no fuel is getting to the carb?

[mudman]

Got some gremlins in your engines?
Certainly sounds like fuel. If the engines have not been run in a year, then the carbs may need a good cleaning. Check fuel pump and fuel filters. All hoses are in good shape? Just a small hole in a hose can cause the pump to suck air instead of fuel and you may not see a fuel leak.

Check fuel tank connections and the down tube in the fuel tank. If that has corrosion or a hole, then the pumps will certainly suck air.

With a fuel problem, I usually start at the fuel tank and work my way to the engine, using the process of elimination.

Good luck, You'll find it.

[PAR]

Varnished up low speed jets. Toss a rebuild kit into each carb after a complete cleaning, and she'll likely run fine.

[holorinhal]

I finnally got the engines to run on their own and idle nicely.
It was a fuel issue. Was not getting fuel up to the carbs. conected a hand primmer bulb pump to the tank and got the fuel flowing. after the fuel was to the carbs they fired right up.
I ran a bottle of seafoam thru the fuel system to clean things up.
Thanks for the replys....Hal

[fasteddy106]

There is a fairly new product out called Octi-plus by Wellworth Industries. It handles all of the fuel contamination/storage issues that are common to marine gas engines. I started using it after the change to 10% enthanol gas occured in the northeast with all it resulting problems. I'm happy with the results, you can check out the company here.............


http://www.wellworthproducts.com/news.htm


Btw, we also install it at our shop on all of the cars that come in for a 30,000 mile service. Handles dirty injector issues without expensive cleaning or replacement and is safe for carbs also.