[HC]

I have a Evinrude '85 120hp E120TLCO, 14 1/2 X 22 ss prop on a Skeeter 15' BB. The problem I'm having is that it will hardly come up on plane but once it does it runs rather well and idles okay too. Every thing I've tried has not solved the problem so I took off the carbs and intake to look at the reeds just in case. I have a couple questions about the reeds. First let me give some background on the symptoms and what I've done.Symptoms: 1. Very difficult to get the boat on plane, seems like very low power. 2. Once on plane it runs rather well. 3. After coming off plane there seems to be too much smoke and the engine will load up until cleard out, Flooding? 4. Small drops of fuel spitting from the low & intermideate jet at idle on the muffs.What I've done thus far:1. Cleaned carbs and put in new kits. 2. Replaced fuel filter, fuel line and bulb. 3. New plugs, 4. ran OMC tuner through it. 5. adjusted & synced the linkage to OMC manual.All that said, I'm checking the reeds because the manual fuel system trouble shooting chart indicates that they could be the reason for the fuel spit back. The reeds are not cracked,broken, or grossly deformed, but when I hold it up to a light and look through the the intake I can sees light through at least half of the reeds. Not much, just a few thousands. I also have found the recirculation check valves seem to be bad so I will replace them.My questions: 1. Should the reeds be completely closed off or is this small amount of light normal? 2.Could this be the cause of my low power problem? 3. Can I replace the reeds or do I have to replace the whole reed assy? 4. What reeds do you guys suggest. Should I use stock or spend the $$ for Boysen? Any other suggestions??? Keep in mind this is a low $$ rig.Thanks in advance for any help.TNFisher

[marinemech1]

a small amount of light is acceptabledo you know if this motor has had the rework done?if rework has not been done see if you can locate a dealership that still has the instructions on how to rework. i thinks theres 2 or 3 pages.we reworked one of these a couple of years back and it made a large difference. carbs spitting back through jets is ok.definitley replace recirc valves

[Walker]

definitley replace recirc valves

I second that, could very well be your problem.

[HC]

Marinetech,Your reply "do you know if this motor has had the rework done?" I assume you are talking about the reed assys. I do not know but everything looks like factory setup. I bought it used a year or so ago and it had been in storage since '96. I don't think it has a lot of hours on it but who can tell! I'm running out of contacts in my area two of my shops closed.I'll call around next week and see if anyone can help. I found a source for the reeds and I am tempted to replace them while it's apart.

[marinemech1]

the rework involves modifying throttle cam some work on recirc system and some other stuff but i can't remember all.a dealer may still have the rework sheet.change reeds if you like don't want to try to talk you out of it