starts hard

[carnut]

i just purchased a 1988 sierra 16.5 with a 2.3 ford omc cobra I/o . seems to run great plenty of power starts right up when cold ... but after running in water and gets warmed up it starts hard like either timming is off or starter is dragging . not over heating by my temp guage on steering console temps runs bout 160 deg. in about 82 deg. water the man I got boat from says he put in a difff. motor . he put in a electic fuel pump not sure if these engines are basically the same as a ford pinto / mustang / ranger 2.3 l any suggestions on problem .

 

[Bondo]

i just purchased a 1988 sierra 16.5 with a 2.3 ford omc cobra I/o . seems to run great plenty of power starts right up when cold ... but after running in water and gets warmed up it starts hard like either timming is off or starter is dragging . not over heating by my temp guage on steering console temps runs bout 160 deg. in about 82 deg. water the man I got boat from says he put in a difff. motor . he put in a electic fuel pump not sure if these engines are basically the same as a ford pinto / mustang / ranger 2.3 l any suggestions on problem .

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... I guess a simple tune up would tell ya whether the timin' is off or not,....
Are the battery terminal connections Clean, 'n tight,..??

Do ya give it some throttle for a restart,..?? it's carbed, not Efi,...