1965 Mercury 900 will only start if I put gas in the cylinders

[dan2744]

This engine has been sitting for a while, I replaced a faulty solenoid and got it working. If it sits over night it will only run with gas sprayed into cylinders, after it starts it runs great. When I squeeze the primer bulb I notice a drip coming from the top carb. Is this just another routine carb cleaning issue?

 

[flyingscott]

yes clean the carbs and make sure the choke is working

 

[racerone]

Look into installing a fuel primer system.---Johnson / Evinrude have a good one.----If you install that unit on your Mercury you will get near instant starts,

 

[dan2744]

I put a new solenoid on that was different than the original, since they do not make it anymore, if I put the "s", and "i" terminal on backwards, would that give me any issues?