In no particular order:

1. How did they manage to put a 4bbl carb on the Merc 140?
2. Nothing wrong with JD oil filters...the Merc ones aren't that great. I
use Hastings myself
3. No comment on using the boat when you suspected poor water flow (I've
done stupid things myself)
4. If a supposed mechanic tells me something- I want specific real world
answers - not general woe and doom responses
5. The electric fuel pump can be OK, if it is tied into a oil pressure cut
off switch
6. Pull the spark plugs (all 4 of them) and examine them....describe exactly
how they look.
7. Impellers fail (just plain wear out) even if never run dry. I replace
mine (including housing) every other year. I have found the water pump
($40) to be somewhat cheaper than engines.

"Lenny Stover" wrote in message
. ..

"bomar" wrote
No compression on ALL cylinders?
I doubt that.
No compression on 1 or 2 I would believe.....cracked head or blown head
gasket.
Demand that the mechanic or whoever it was that told you "no
compression"
tell you exactly what the readings are on each cylinder.

Tough to do right now, since I took the boat to Tennessee for storage.
But
now you have me wondering,...am I being taken because of my ignorance?
I'll
have the compression re-checked in a couple of weeks and appreciate the
tip.

Check the oil.....is it milky?

No, it wasn't. I checked that because I have had blown head gaskets on
cars
and trucks in the past.

Ya gotta post more info about it that what you just did......
Lot of possibilities...like your impeller in lower unit was toast and
cooked
engine.

I figured the impeller. When I tuned it up, I was amazed that the amount
of
water going thru a larger engine was about the same as the amout of water
that passed thru my 10 hp outboard. Guess that should have been my red
flag. Don't know what else to tell you, except when the noise and smoke
started there was a significant power loss. Much like the post by Shawn
Willden that was posted today, I also wound up with a marine engine with
auto parts. Seems the previous owners father was a mechanic, (a matter of
opinion,) and also put a 4 bbl auto carb on this engine. He also put on
an
electronic fuel pump and egads it had a John Deere oil filter. I have
been kicking myself in the arse ever since I bought it, so it will not be
neccesary to flame me for my stupidity.

By chance did you test run it after your big tune up job without muffs
on
it?

Absolutely not. I am pretty doggone dumb, but even I am not *that* dumb.
On second thought, I did by *this* boat. moan