Ok I am totaly new to this forum and totaly lost when it comes to finding a possible replacement to the VRO pump on my 2004 50 hp Jonhson. It's 2 stroke, I assume of course, carborated, and the model # appears to be 50plsoc. I'm not the least bit mechanicaly inclined, but I'm learning, and several of of my more mechanicaly inclined friends and I have come to the conculsion that it must be the fuel pump. In my case this wonderfull VRO that everyone raves about, and seems to run for the very low price off about $400. I have ruled out the fuel line from tank to outboard, replaced line and primer bulb, followed instructions posted on a threads here to disconect the oil side of the VRO, and am now mixing 50:1 in the gas tank. The engine will still not run wide open, or sometimes at lower RPMs, unless you pump the primer ball. Actually the engine works great when I become the fuel pump, but my hand gets tired and it's not allways easy to know where I'm going when I'm pumping the ball. So basicaly at this point, with the help of friends who know more, I want to switch out the VRO for a cheaper standard fuel pump. What standard pump can I use? Are there more than one? Is this some great secret being held on to by Johnson Evinrude mechanics. I've found countless sites online selling fuel pumps and I have many local marine stores in my area. Surely some of them must have a pump that would work for me. I dont need this to fix to be "by the book", I need to get on the water and get use out of the boat and engine. Can anyone help me get a part number? Has anyone made a similar switch or conversion?