Re: 1974 Evinrude Yachtwin 4hp – failing to start

[Don]

You could start by just removing the high speed needle and having a look at what drains out of the carb along with how the high speed needle looks. If smelly goo dribbles out and the high speed needle is gunky green, then yes, you will have to pull the carb.
Try connecting the fuel line and pumping it with the high speed needle removed, fuel should dribble out of the carb while pumping the primer bulb. The inlet needle is stuck if fuel does not come out of the carb while priming with the high speed needle removed.
In any event, the initial settings for the needles are: .75 turns out from gently seated for the high speed needle/1.5 turns out for the low speed needle.
You mentioned the plugs look wet, perhaps the fuel in the tank is old/fouled/has water in it.
Nonetheless, the carb comes out without removing the needles. Simply pull the carb forward off its mounting studs, then tilt the back up over the studs and back the carb on out of the pan.