Fuel Prime Problem

[JaceWolf]

I have a 1985 35 HP Mercury outboard motor that ran really good and then it sat 3 weeks and I could not get it to start. I got a gasket kit that had 2 different sets of gaskets, 1 set has two non screw holes on the outside of the gasket and the other doesn't. If I use the one without the holes, it won't prime but if I use the other with the two holes, it will prime but it won't hold prime and the motor stops when the bowl is empty unless I catch it and give the primer ball a squeeze . Can anyone tell me what it is that I am missing??? Thanks for the help.

 

[Scott Danforth]

You may have a fuel pump issue