1985 Mercuy 75 hp engine loss of power

[New Boater Brad]

This is the second year I have owned this boat. The first year the engine ran great. Took it out of storage and tried starting it with trouble. Finally got it going after getting proper prime with bulb. But engine was very hot.. (smoking at top of engine).
Took it out for a couple runs this year without a problem.. Then noticed a rattling sound from engine and soon after lost top end power. Right now I stalls when I put it in gear to take off. Once I do get it going its lacking power then it will kick in and run at full tilt for a second then lacks power again.

I had replaced the plugs in the spring along with gear oil. I just pulled the plugs after the power loss and noticed the top plug is black and wet, the next two down where black only on half the the plug? and the bottom plug was clean?. I tried cleaning the carbs with carb cleaner and sea foam in the gas.

Does this mean I have loss of spark to the bottom cylinder? Did I burn something up while I was first trying to start it in the spring. ( I turned it over quite a few times.. I did have muffs on it.. but the smoke coming out of the top of the engine cant be good)

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated..

 

[New Boater Brad]

Re: 1985 Mercuy 75 hp engine loss of power

Fixed the problem.. broken wire for number 4 cylinder from coil to ignition.