90 Bayliner Force 90 starter and bendix gear question

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I recently bought a 1990 Bayliner with a 90 hp force motor which is very clean and in good shape, but have been having a hard time starting up. I am new at this and learning as I go. After numerous attempts and research, still no dice. I have good spark, fuel system is fine. My startup procedure is i pull the controls out and push them forward to set it in cold start/fast idle. I choke and turn the key. THe motor wants to start and then dies out. The starter spins the bendix gear up which connects to the (not sure what you call it) the round flywheel thing but (heres the big but) the bendix gear drops down while i have the key turned to start so it doesn't crank the engine enough. Shoudn't the bendix gear stay engaged in the flywheel until i left of on the key??? THe starter looks new or possibly rebuilt. The solenoid looks old however. Is this the issue and could replacing the solenoid fix the problem? Also, the previous owner for some reason left the (again not sure what its called) large air intake thing that connects to the carbs loose with only two bolts holding it in. question is looks like there is some sort of vacuum hose that connects at the bottom that is missing. If anyone knows what size or type of hose to use here it would be much help. Sorry for the long post, but I feel like I'm getting close to figuring this thing out and finally putting it out on the water. Any help/advise is of course much appreciated.
Thanks