Re: ’62 5.5 Fisherman won’t idle

[Don]

I really doubt you plugged anything up when you changed the gasket, especially if you only used a light coat of OMC gasket sealer. I agree, doesn’t seem like the pump is leaking. Pumping the fuel bulb would probably make it idle worse, but did you try pulling the hose and letting it run like I suggested?
And I agree with you, changing that packing can cause more trouble than it is worth sometimes, especially if old packing chunks end up in the carb…The packing is probably OK if the needle can be snugged up easily by tightening the packing nut slightly.
I’m betting the engine will run fine once given a good run on a boat….