Trouble getting started?

[T-rain]

I recently purchased a 1979 40 hp Mercury rocket outboard. The guy told me the float was sticking, causing it to die frequently. I rebuilt the carb; thankfully found a youtube video of a guy rebuilding the same carb.. on the trailer it would start with a flick of the key after i replaced the old keyswitch. Took it on the water; wouldnt hardly start. Ran about 3oo yards, bogged down and died. The only way I could get it to start back was pump up the bulb. It would start and run that gas out then die again. I rebuilt the fuel pump yesterday. It would crank and crank but wouldnt start..I shot a tiny shot of starting fluid in the carb; it fired right up..I could flick the key and it would start and run..seems to be idling good too . Well about 10 minutes later came back to it and the same thing? Wouldnt start until I shot the starting fluid in it. I mean just a minute amount will get it started and it will keep starting with a flick of the key, but wait a few minutes and its back to the cranking and no start?? Am I losing prime on the fuel pump? Any ideas?? thanks in advance

 

[racerone]

Are you using / operating the electric choke while cranking it over ??----Is choke solenoid working ?

 

[EchoNovember]

Check your fuel lines and bulb for restriction. It definitely sounds like it is not getting enough fuel to the carbs. With the ethanol fuel these days, the old rubber lines get eaten away and start internally expanding as they break down. As you can imagine, this restricts fuel flow.

When you have it out and running, before it starts bogging down and dying trying squeezing the bulb. If you can squeeze it more than a little before it firms up, it could be restricted fuel flow. If you can squeeze it a lot and are pretty much augmenting the fuel pump, I'd check and replace the internal fuel lines, and check and replace the external fuel line if it's an older one. Also check the fuel strainer in your fuel tank to see if it's clogged up.