got spark got gas won't start

[MistyTazzvon]

Just bought this boat and just joined these forums. I knew the boat did not run when i bought and also knew it had been sitting up for years but i got it cheap and needed a new project to add to my list of projects LOL. anyway.i have a 1988 sunbird corsair 185 with an OMC 3.0 cobra engine. Not sure about the outdrive but i think it is stock. I got it running by replacing the condenser, cap and rotor. thats all i replaced and i gapped the points. i tested the spark at each plug with a cheap light up tester that goes inline between the plug and the distributor and all were lighting it up. tested all cylinders with compression tester and i know #3 cylinder has an issue as it only reads 60 while all others read about 120. i also noticed fuel in the oil which the previous owner said he replaced the fuel pump but never changed oil so i changed the oil. I did get it running though rough but running. Had it running for about 3-4 minutes today on ears in the yard at about 1000 - 2000 rpm and decided to see if it would idle on it's own in true neutral (straight up and down). it died as expected but then it would not fire up again. Oil pressure was fine, temp gauge showed barely heated up. Plugs still show spark. still getting gas as the carb is wet every time i try to start it. It does turn over great but will not start. I am just lost as to what it could be if it has spark and gas and was already running on a bad cylinder. I would expect rough running but at least running. I checked the emergency kill cord but still has spark with or without the cord attached (not sure why that is). Any help is much appreciated as i would rather fix it myself as much as i can sin i already know i need a machine shop to bore the cylinders and possibly rework the head.

Thank you for any suggestions ahead of time.

 

[shaw520]

Fresh gas ? ,...water in Tank/ fuel lines / strainers ? Anything sitting will surely have water, sludge, and whatever through out the fuel system,

 

[MistyTazzvon]

gas is coming straight out of 5 gal gas tank as i do not trust the built in gas tank till i have time to clean it thoroughly. as for any other water in the fuel i would not think so since it ran for 3-4 minutes but now acts as if it is not firing.

 

[Scott Danforth]

check for spark again. points may have come loose and you may no longer have spark

 

[MistyTazzvon]

It does have spark but is it possible that the spark is to weak and if so how do i test the strength of the spark?

 

[MistyTazzvon]

got it running again (rough but running). Evidently it was a choke issue. holding the flapper open with a screw driver and she started repeatedly with no issues (well except the bad cylinder of course). I am relieved it's just the choke, next i have to tune the carb and choke after deciding if the piston and rings are bad or if it is a head issue. Thank you for the help i am sure i will have more questions in the future.

 

[shaw520]

Recheck compression after running,... you never know !