Just wanted to pop in and leave at least a small update. After installing the venturi's back in these carbs it didn't seem to make a difference, but that's only because the actual problem hasn't been solved. I removed the flywheel revealing a "red" stator with a date code of 1998, once I removed it and revealed the trigger, it has a date code of 1988. Seems to be the original trigger and the wires are almost like wet noodles. Whether it's the culprit or not I ordered an OEM Mercury trigger, will be here Monday. One last discovery was the "red" stator, Mercury made these to replace the often failed factory stators, they came with an adaptor module that protects the switch box from over voltage, I think. According to the style of flywheel magnets you have, it determines if the stator wiring is reversed on the module, or connected to the same solid/solid w stripe wires on the module. Mine being the screw in style magnets, this module wiring was supposed to be reversed and it was not. I have no clue if this would cause any problems, but they put that in the instructions for a reason. There is a chance this might could have damaged the switch box but I will have to learn more about how that module works to know for sure. Sorry for the long post, I'm hoping to help the many others that have had the same problems with these motors. Should have another update within a few days.
