Re: 1969 Evinrude Triumph 55hp selectric shift starting troubles
klwright, you'll have to turn on "Receive PM" in My User Area->Edit Profile if you wish to communicate by PM. Not that I can be much help.
But my first guess given your symptoms would be to suspect one or more cylinders are not producing any power. A simple cylinder drop test, which can be done on muffs, should confirm it.
With the engine running, pull each spark plug lead one at a time, using insulated spark plug boot pliers. Note the change in the engine. Cylinders not producing power will cause no change, while the one that is will likely cause the outboard to stall immediately. Once you've found the failing cylinder, test spark, compression, fuel delivery, etc, on that cylinder.
It would have nothing to do with the water pump unless the engine was overheating, which takes at least 30 seconds.