bad intake??

I have a 97 larson with a 350 mercruiser. The intake manifold between holes 4 & 6 and 3 & 5 appears to have got hot enough to peel the paint at some point. (prior owner) The engine starts great, runs great, pulls hard for about 2 hours. Then when a skier falls and I try to idle down for a turn-a-around it will die. Then it will not start in neutral. I have to start at 1/2 throttle but as soon as I pull back into neurtral it dies again. I end up having to drop into gear quickly and hit full throttle before it sputters out. Once going it will run full out just fine I just can't idle. Anyone have any ideas?

Is this an intake gasket issue possibly or head gasket issues? Just didn't think both head gaskets would go out in the same place on each side. Or is it a water flow problem not getting enough water to the same spot on each side of the engine.

Any help would be appreciated.

Re: bad intake??

Sounds like your carb is leaking when hot. Time to rebuild it or replace.

Re: bad intake??

randy27r said:

The intake manifold between holes 4 & 6 and 3 & 5 appears to have got hot enough to peel the paint at some point. (prior owner)

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That is common on pre-vortec heads. There is an exhaust crossover passage that runs from one head to the other, through the intake. Its purpose is to warm the carb and fuel mixture, for drivability and quick warm-ups. It gets hot and will flake or burn the paint over time.