Mercury won't stay running

The setting were messed with, I don't know a lot about boat motors but I know that there are two butter flies in the carb, the first one (starting on the outside of carb) is your choke the second one must be your throttle now that one has black plastic thing attached on the top of the carb I found it stayed closed all the time, the screw in the plastic part wasn't tight to the small shaft so I put a stiff wire in the carb and openned that butter fly a bit and tightened the screw in the plastic part. The motor now runs without stalling so I must be on the right track.

I would like to know where to set that butter fly with the black plastic part, I really hope you understand what I am trying to tell you. I really appreciate your help I would like to get it running soon.

Thank you
Greg

Re: Mercury won't stay running

Greg, You might tell us the year and HP of the motor you are discussing. It sounds like an inline four of the early 70s.