raczekp1, thanks for the input but I have had a spun prop before on another outboard. As I recall, the exact opposite occurred when I spun that prop, I.e. High RPM's were easily achieved but the boat didn't go anywhere! Kind of like driving a car where drive wheels are spinning on ice...on this outboard (before it began to not even start) the engine would get to mid-RPM's but not go higher.
Latest update/summary on this 9.9HP project is: checked Compression yesterday, 5 pulls on the Recoil Starter got 80psi Upper Cylinder, 80psi Lower Cylinder (both are a bit low but not terrible. A new head gasket might fix this. There is oily residue inside the Top Cowl. Can't see any definite leaking gaskets on the Powerhead.). Spark is strong (new plugs, gapped at 0.030), it was at least 5/16 on Spark gap Tester (maybe 7/16? I lost the exact readings) jumped on both wires tested through the spark plugs. Fuel pump seems fine--when removed from Engine Block and rebolted together, squeezing Fuel Bulb does not result in fuel squirting out backside (as would indicate a ruptured diaphragm). After reconnecting to Block, disconnecting fuel line at the Carb, and pulling on recoil starter, fuel squirts out of the fuel line indicating Crankcase is producing adequate vacuum and pressure and Fuel Pump is OK. Puzzling part is that Engine does not start (even sneeze, hardly) with a bit of gas/oil mixture dripped into Carb Throat. Nor does it sneeze with starting fluid shot into Cylinders.
So next I guess the Next Step is to remove/inspect/clean and possibly rebuild the Carb. Although I am still puzzled why I can't get it to do anything with a shot of gas/oil or starting fluid.
Any additional advice??? Thanks in advance.
