95 Mercrusier 5.0 won't run after the winter! Trying to go on lake this weekend

[Newbie@boats]

Ok, I am going to try and tell the story the best I can. Boat was used last season, was not winterized over the winter, and I guess the guy didn't think any one would notice the cracked block and exhaust manifolds. When we went to look at the boat it would NOT run unless we used a quick shot of starting fluid but once that burned off the boat died. Guy was asking $3,500 we got it for $500 We took it back to our shop and first thing we did was clean the carb which was like gel when we took it apart. Soaked it and rebuilt it boat ran for about 10 minutes no issues. Shut it off and that was it, fuel filter was replaced and the fuel is shooting down into the manifolds. Where do we go from here? We are getting spark as far as we can tell, but maybe bad plugs? I'd hate to throw senseless parts at it. Any help would be great. FYI the cracks were fixed with JB weld and they seem to be fine(so far)

 

[saltybutwet]

Well, sounds like a fuel issue, it's getting fire, so the fuel system is where I would start.

got any pics?

 

[midcarolina]

IMO If the guy was trying to hide the fact that the boat had a severely damaged motor...... you surely cannot trust him when he say's boat was ran last season,

Plus the fact that the carb was severely gummed up tells me it's been sitting longer than one season....

First did you empty all the old fuel out of the fuel tank? I would also replace the spark plugs and inspect them for any signs of water in the cylinders.
Replace the cap and rotor......verify with a spark checker that you in fact have good spark........ then try and start her........oh and I would change the oil and filter too

It's not a waste of money the plugs, cap and rotor and oil are all maintenance items.....and you need to start out fresh.

 

[Maclin]

Just be ready for internal cooling passage cracks to become manifest and water getting into the crankcase once it is running and gets warm under a load. Most times a V8 GM block cracks internally, so if there are cracks externally then, just sayin', be ready to find out you need a new engine block. And I would not get too far from shore on the first trial run

 

[bruceb58]

I would be shopping for a long block and getting that over with.

I see you have a lot of boats in your signature. You flip them?

 

[thumpar]

You might try an external tank with new fuel.