Urgent Help needed: Mercury 2002 50ELPT0, Must see picture to understand issue, but don't know how to fix

[fickesd]

The picture is taken when the shifter is in Neutral. I'm pretty sure the round plastic piece should be touching the piece that moves when you put in forward or reverse in order to get the motor to rev up. I even thought if you wanted to increase idle you can adjust one of the screws to push the plastic piece that moves to push the round piece further to the left and thus giving the carbs more gas. I can't figure out why there is a gap between the two when in neutral. What happens is that we can't get the engine to stay running when in neutral and only when we push the throttle more than halfway up before those pieces make contact and start to give the carbs more gas. I know I'm not explaining it very well but hopefully someone understands what I'm trying to say and knows how I can fix it.

 

[Dave1027]

There is a screw below the cam roller (the round black plastic piece) that locks it to the carb throttle backet. It looks like it came loose and is now at max open position. You may get away with moving the cam roller back over till it almost contacts the lever and tightening the lock screw. But you really should get a manual and do a proper link/sync procedure on it if you want it to be correct.

 

[jimmbo]

You do not adjust the Idle Speed by doing anything to the Carb, Idle Speed on these Engines is determined by the Timing, which will vary depending on the load(prop pitch) the engine is seeing. Get the Correct Service Manual for that Engine, Read, and Understand what the Specs are, what the Adjustments are, and how to go about checking/setting them.
Just for your info, on these almost all of the Spark Advance occurs before the Carb(s) even twitch from the fully closed position. Once Full Advance has happened, then the Carb(s) open.