Force 125 Dies when Shifting now does not reach top speed

[FMG]

I recently purchased a 1987 Bayliner Bowrider equipped with a Force 125. The motor runs great. My problem is when you shift into forward or reverse the motor dies. Per the motor manual I have I adjusted the carb syncronization, changed the primer bulb and spark plugs, rebuilt the carbs and now have caused an additional problem. The motor cuts out after approximately 20 seconds of acceleration. It never reaches top speed before it bogs and then dies. Acts like it is flooding, upon restart it does the same, revs to certain point and then dies. If I keep it around 20 to 25 mph or under runs pretty good. I was wondering if one of the floats is causing the problem? New plugs, primer bulb, fuel pump kit (it was nasty dirty inside where screen is), carb rebuild kits still wants to die when shifting into gear. I neglected to mention that the engine also will no longer rev in neutral. The linkage looks like it is moving, but it only revs a tiny bit.Any ideas out there?

[eurolarva]

The killing at high speed could mean that the float is not adjusted correctly. Force used both Tillotson and Walbro carbs. When the carb is inverted and the the float is now on the top the adjustment should be 1/2 inch from bottom of float (now actually top cause it is upside down) To the bottom of the carb body (now top cause it is upside down) I believe this spec is for the walbro and the tillotson is 13/32 inch. Another problem could be one of the needles is sticking closed and only one carb is filling full of gas.

Did you rebuild the fuel pump? The crud you mentioned was this in the carb? If so you probably did not get it all. The carb kit comes with a walsh plug. Did you remove the old one and clean the three small holes? If you follow where the adjustment screw goes into the carb body you will see the walsh plug. If one or more of them holes are plugged you will have problems with idling. The crap you are seeing might be from the diaphragm disintegrating over time. Would not hurt to replace all the rubber in the fuel system.