140 Johnson Seahorse, believe its a 77 (model plate is scratched badly). All has been running well, spent the day skiing with a full load on board, had been running wot 5500 rpm for awhile when motor just shut down! Tried to restart and nothing, waited a few minutes tried another restart and it fired right up. Seemed to be alittle noisy, and wouldn't get to full speed, so I slowly made it back to dock. I had just recently changed plugs out, and when I took it out it had a bad miss, pulled plugs and one had the electrode bent in almost all the way. I was sure I gapped all before inserting and didn't drop or hit anything (gapped to 40). Regapped and ran again. After it cut out and I got home checked all plugs again, all was ok. Boat had done this once before a year ago and never again since, I actually had forgotten about it til now. Well, took it out again, this time alone with no load, ran it and didn't have the speed (top is only about 32mph according to my gauge). It didn't seem to be running as smooth as it should and a little shakey, then I thought I heard a knocking, I idled it back to dock. Checked plugs again all were ok, one was pretty dry though, pushed on all pistons with screwdriver and maybe a little tiny movement on the one with the driest plug. Did have some water in lower unit, have had some but just change lower oil about every 5 or so trips out, no noticeable shavings on magnet. Never had carbs de-carbed since I have had the boat (1986 astroglass 178v fish/ski). Just spent the past two months tring to refinish the top side, and pulled floor out and recarpeted, all came out great - Now I would really like to use it but don't want to have eng. problems (too late i guess) Please give any suggestions, have not run a compression test yet, guess i need to get a gauge and will try it today. Thanks Andy
