I recently bought this motor for a pontoon that I am restoring. It sat for 2 years so I followed the post on what to do before running it, lower unit oil, impellor etc., then took it out on the lake for a test. I ran it at the docks for about 20 minutes, so as to be close incase of major problems. I then took it out on the lake. It ran great, fast and no problems. About a week later after doing more work to the toon I took out the kids. Again it ran fine, several more trips and 3 tanks of gas later it has developed a power problem. It runs fine for about 15-20 minutes then has no power, It has good stream from pee hole, has good spark, and runs great in neutral (has power while sitting and giving gas by the cold start lever or by hand at the motor) but not in forward. Boat is a 1984 24 footer with only partial furniture on it and the original half top, that I covered temp with a tarp. According to NADA 115 is max hp. According to the previous owner the cap, wires and plugs were new when stored, as well as having the carbs redone prior to the last year used and the engine ran without problems on an 18 footer. I really want to be able to take this boat out on the river for a 3 day trip but worry about coming back upstream. Are the carbs gumed from sitting so long? It looks new under the hood, very clean wires all intact and all original shiny paint. I have not done anything yet to the carbs, or electrical as I am still reading the shop manual, second time through. Oh the prop is a 13 3/4 by 17, I switched from the 19 pitch after talking to the local shop owner, told me to bring in the motor and he would check to see what is wrong, not willing to give info over the phone. Any help is greatly appreciated.
