Today's results....

Engine is NOT overheating -- checked it with an infrared temp reader..
However, timing was off - at 12 instead of 8btdc -- I adjusted that.

It runs way better. However still dies when coming off the throttle.

Idle is set at 800 rpm (by using a reliable tach)

I had planned to replace the plugs,cap, wires & rotor tuesday. could these
cause a problem like this? THe cap definately needs replacement -- has large
chunks of crud on the contacts.

However, it kinda acts like a fuel issue... becuase once it dies, 80% of the
time, it needs to be cranked over a few times before it starts; the other 20% it
starts right away.

could it be a fuel pump or float issue? Or carb adjustment?


1990 GM based MerCruiser 5.0L engine:

so today's Q's:
1) what's a good starting point for the two barrel carb adustment?
2) i looked at the thermostat -- it really wasn't there "whole" - so I took it
out; however it kinda fell out -- it looks like there's a sleeve holding it down
-- how do you remove that sleeve?


On this image:

http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/PXI...596/21_500.gif

THe sleeve is #10

The carb looks like this:
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/PXI...596/16_500.gif
(they don't seem to offer a rebuild kit...)



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