1984 18hp Starting Problems

[Harry B.]

I'm a admitted outboard motor addict.
I just acquired this motor and put a new impeller in it.
The timing advance knob/ wire is jacked up/ broken.
I pulled the choke knob out which doesn't advance the timing or throttle and primes the carb. I did this two or three times and noticed that it squirted gas out the side.
I pulled the cord a few times with no luck and took a second or three break and pulled a half dozen more times and it fired and run. Idled good and shifted gears well. After running a minute or three it stumbled and died and was hard to start again but it did and then died again. I checked the primer bulb and it remained hard.
It hasn't started since.
I fixed the primer on the carb with a new kit and cleaned the carb up a bit.
The primer no longer leaks.
I checked the spark and it's excellent on the top but not quite as good but still arcing the 1/2 inch but not as blue or bright.
I pull and pull and pull with no further joy.
It doesn't even pop a little bit.
Any ideas or assistance would be awesome.

 

[racerone]

Checked flywheel key ?

 

[Harry B.]

I always take the flywheel key for granted.
I'll look and report back. Maybe I'll look at the stator while I'm there?

 

[Harry B.]

The key is good.

So I go through the carb again, put it on, pull and pull, nothing.

I now check the keyway. Put everything back together. No gas line attached and pull it and it sputtered. Pull again and it fired and died.
Put the hose back on, go through the starting procedure and nothing again.

I know very little about Merc carbs but have played around with many OMC.
I think it's flooded. What do you guys think?

 

[Harry B.]

I've searched pretty hard again on topics/ problems similar to mine.
Most go unanswered.
So I adjusted the float and pulled on it and it wanted to start but wouldn't run.
Hit the primer and it was all over with, no more popping and attempting to run at all after that.
Any suggestions?

 

[Harry B.]

With no help or further suggestions I'm throwing in the towel for a bit.
I'm 95% sure the issue is fuel related, but not sure how to remedy the situation further.
If I work on it anytime in the near future I'll likely not turn to this forum for suggestions or what the outcome was as it doesn't seem to be anything anyone has any interest or ideas anyway.