Reply To: ’67 80 HP, seems to starve out with throttle advance, plus rope start link

[Alan]

All replies very much appreciated.

Wow, pretty exciting to stand next to a motor that threw a rod, or had the flywheel fly apart! Nightmare. Glad nobody got hurt.

Squirting fuel into the carb while running it sounds like a solid way to narrow down the problem, which would sure help. Although, after 6 unsuccessful attempts, I am running out of people who want to go to the lake with me!

I’d love to run it in a test tank; that way I could check timing with a light AND give a shot of fuel, without a lake trip. But no dealer in town wants to deal with old motors, or the liability of letting me play in their shop. Which I understand. One time I only made it about 10 steps down a driveway, with a (merely) 15 year old Merc in one hand, and my checkbook in the other before the guy started yelling at me. “Get that thing outta here!!!!!” All red in the face and PO’d.

I have run it with the cover off, without any improvement.

The carb does not seem to be opening too far, from what I can see.

OK, I’ll check the flywheel key today, and look for something loose or cracked.
Still open to all ideas and wild speculation.
Much thanks and happy 4th!