no gas in the fuel line before and after the pump

[yacine]

Hello boaters!!!!
My name is Yacine. I do I have a 1989 OMC 584APRMED 5.8L Stern Drive. The engine is a V8 Ford 351 5.8L.
I rebuilt it recently last summer. runs perfect on my driveway and I used a timing gun to set it to about 9 BTDC, which was the sweetest spot for my engine. but hesitates on water. suddenly, it would not start now.
checked compression and I have a little bit above 120psi in all of the 8 cylinders.
I used a transparent fuel hose and found out that there is no fuel in the line!!!!
I have 3 fuel pumps, original, and two electric.
to troubleshoot the issue of gas I did this:
-I used the transparent fuel hose first, I see no gas.
-I tried sucking gas from the fuel tank myself and gas came up the line super easily and I did not need effort for that, which means the fuel tank supply is not the issue.
- I used both electric fuel pumps to transfer gas from the boat tank to fuel cans and both worked perfectly, so the fuel pump is not the issue.-
-HOWEVER, when connected the Carb, the I see no fuel coming from the tank to either of the pumps. fuel comes up the fuel line if I loosen the line connected the Carb. As soon as i titens it, fuel flow stops. it is the same thing with the mechanical fuel pump and this is driving me crazy. so what is did now was
- Rebuilt the Carb completely, which is by the way a 4160 4Brl Holly Carb.
- Installed electronic ignition with a new cap, which run just fine before the issue.
new spark plugs and coils.
- took the carb apart completely again and I found both bowls full of gas, floats, jets and all fuel passages work perfect.
- I still have the same issue.
when I try to start the engine, I can feel that just some cylinders are firing not all.
the reason why i think is because it is not getting enough gas, because both bowls have gas, or not getting spark even though all spark plugs are new.
to recap, rebuilt Carb, new ignition components, good compression, new gas, good fuel pumps and good timing but no fuel in the line and no start.

Thank you guys for any advice you might provide.
Yacine,

 

[yacine]

can somebody answer please!!
Thank you

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... If the carb is fulla gas, the seat is closed, 'n no gas will be pumped,.....
When you actuate the throttle, is the carb sprayin' gas down the throat,..??
When you try to start it, after it won't start, are the spark plugs wet, or dry,..??
Are you pumpin' the throttle at all, when tryin' to start it,..??

 

[TRollins]

Holly carburetors have to have the floats adjusted once installed. There is also a flathead screw on the bowls that allows you to full full bowls. They can be touchy. If you look up Holly carb float adjustment you should find what you need.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if you rebuilt the carb, then you also properly set the floats, correct? float setting instructions are in the carb kit.

did you check your tank pickup? is the filter still there and plugged? if so, remove it. is your anti siphon valve working? if not, replace it.

why do you have 3 fuel pumps? that is an explosion waiting to happen. you should be using only the mechanical fuel pump. electric pumps are rubbish compared to a mechanical pump.