1976 OMC dies once started

lmjpsl

Cadet
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
27
Hello,

I have a 1976 OMC, Ford 302, 190 hp. I replaced the intermediate housing and put new bearings on the drive shaft. The engine was running fine before the replacement. After the replacement, the engine would start and run very well on the driveway (which is slanted downward and the front of the boat was lower than the back) with the water hose hooked up to it. I took the boat to the lake, put it in the water and it would start for a few seconds, then die. It even got hard to start by just turning over but not starting.

I took it back home, put it on the driveway and replaced fuel filter, put in a rebuilt carburetor and fuel pump, checked spark plugs, firing and timing. I also put an external gas tank with fresh gas to the fuel line to check for bad fuel. While on the driveway, the thing ran beautifully.

Before taking it back to the lake for a test, I decided to put the boat on the street so that it would be at the same angle as in the water. Guess what? With the water hose hooked up to it, it would start and run for a few seconds, then die, just like before. At one point, it started and I ran it for about 15 minutes. It ran well. I returned about three hours later and tried to start it. It would start for a few seconds then die.

I'm puzzled. Any help, please?
 

lmjpsl

Cadet
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
27
Re: 1976 OMC dies once started

I tried this morning to start the boat. I had the same problem of starting then dying. I saw that the choke had the wing of the carburetor open quite a bit. I closed it a bit, and the boat started and ran. It appears that I have some type of fuel problem.
 
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