40 hp mercury won't start

[Smokeytires]

Hello new to the forum I have a problem with my motor. I replaced the fuel pump and the waterpump now it won't start. It has fuel and it has spark at the plugs. It had rained over night and I didn't have the battery box covered and it filled with water could this have done something to the electronics on the motor it was all together. I don't won't on boats normally but since it's mine I usually work on my own. Auto Mechanic for many years. I should had that it's a 1983.

 

[Smokeytires]

If I'm getting spark at the plugs does this mean my electrical components are good or can they still be bad. It fires while cranking but doesn't stay running.

 

[gm280]

SMokeytires, :welcome: aboard to iboats...

You didn't say if you have gas to the carb(s). Being an auto mechanic, even 2-cycle engines have similar issues. That is compression, spark and fuel. If all three of those are there, it runs. But if one or more are not working, no running. So you have spark, but how about fuel? And even with fuel and spark, is the timing correct? Did you check to see if the flywheel key/pin is good. Any slight sheered key in the flywheel will not fire at the correct time and nothing will run. JMHO!

 

[Smokeytires]

could i have done something when doing the water pump ? i should have fuel in the filter bowl keeps dropping i cleaned the carb to make sure that wasnt the problem. i change the fuel in the tank, lines and bulb, compression 130 on both cylinders. could the timing get messed up moving the gear shifter with the lower end off. i thought maybe the timing may be off but not sure how to set it still working on that.