Merc898 won't start after it's warm

[Worthlesscoworker]

In the process of fixing up my 1979 Century Arabian ski boat just did the impeller and water pump for a overheat issue got that taken care of had the carburetor rebuilt professionally it's a Rochester 2 Barrel my issue is once the motor is warm and you shut it off it will not restart for a while the previous owner had the same issue the motor is running a vacuum advance distributor would know vacuum line hooked up could that be the issue previous owner ran it like that for 3 years would never any issues until last season

 

[alldodge]

The GM 898 (305) came with a 4bbl carb and Mallory distributor which had no vacuum advance. The mallory as with all those year distributors it had mechanical weights to advance. So the vacuum line is not hooked up and my first thought is the motor does not have the correct advance curve, but maybe not.

In any case no vacuum to the advance should not be the issue for not starting IF the timing is set correctly.

When you move the throttle, does the carb squirt fuel in?
Does it smell flooded?
Are you getting spark?
Does it crank over fast (at least 300 rpm)?
What is timing set at?

 

[Worthlesscoworker]

It cranks great smell fuel and it's getting spark hit the throttle it Sprays fuel it will back fire out of the carb sometimes I'm leaning towards timing but I wasn't sure having checked the timing yet waiting on a my buddy who has a timing light when I does start it runs great

 

[alldodge]

Backfiring is signs it out of time. Timing might be adjusted that way because the weights in a vacuum distributor does not advance enough to get optimum level. So if its to far advanced it starts hard but will run good at top end.

Timing set at 8 BTDC

 

[Worthlesscoworker]

So should I check it and if it's to far advanced should I retard it some and what would too far Advanced be

 

[alldodge]

So should I check it and if it's to far advanced should I retard it some and what would too far Advanced be

I would check to see where its set, then increase rpm to around 2500 and record that, then let us know what it is

 

[Worthlesscoworker]

Well figured out the problem the dist was so loose it's turning freely will reset it tonight and report back