Re: 1978 evinrude 9.9 fuel problem
Here is what you do.
1st check is to open your gas tank cap and run it again. If you need to keep squeezing the primer bulb, then tank venting is not your problem. 2nd test, if you have another fuel line for the tank, try that, if not leave it to the last test. Next, pull the fuel line from the fuel pump to the carb. Remove spark plug boots so as not to start the motor. Pull on starter rope and see if fuel pumps out of pump. If it does, then your fuel pump is probably fine and it is most likely your check valves in the primer bulb of the line to your tank. They do fail.
If your pump is working, your tank is venting and your primer bulb is working, then it must be an air leak somewhere. Your fuel is not flowing to your carb automatically, since you have to manually push it. Those are really the main areas that allow fuel to flow properly.