Mercruiser 3.0 with 1389-8490 won’t start after engine pull

[StinkinRenken85]

So my motor was starting before I pulled the motor but after I pulled to work on my transom assembly I can’t get it to start...I have always had to tighten the idle speed screw to speed up the idle to get it to start I just figured my choke isn’t set right... last time I pulled the motor I had to pour gas in the fuel bowl and turn up the idle speed to start... before it was pulled I had trouble keeping at idle so I adjusted the ignition timing and replaced the coil and after that was not a problem...trying to start it today I’ve tried priming the carb removing the throttle cable and starting it wide open tried removing the plugs and they had tons of carbon so I adjusted the idle mixture to 1 and 1/4 removes all the plugs good the wire off the coil and turned the motor over without the plugs and I could see gas misting out each plug hole...also when I removed the plugs I noticed my 3 and 4 plugs were really loose and I’m pretty sure I tightened them well when installed...either way after replacing plugs and messing with the timing still won’t start...any idea what could be wrong last I checked compression is good and the motor was fine....

 

[GA_Boater]

I didn't see that you checked for spark.

From all the issues before the motor was pulled, you have some work in front of you.

 

[StinkinRenken85]

I think I’m getting spark because I see smoke come out of the valve cover when I try to start after removing the flame resistor...before the pull the motor was running fine..to get it that way I had to install electronic ignition Pertronix and adjust the ignition timing but after all that it was good except when first starting for the day I had to turn up the idle speed...I was thinking it was a choke problem....when you said it sounds like I have work to do so you mean on the carb?

 

[StinkinRenken85]

Or are you saying because the plugs were loose I have a major problem... I figured they may have loosened from rough running before I got the ignition timing right...?