The previous owner installed a second 18 US gallon fuel tank and added a
bulb for each tank to prime the line when he switched tanks. When I switch
between tanks and don't prime the line with the bulb, it takes forever for
the fuel pump to pump from the other tank and I use a lot of battery getting
the engine started.

Seems the problem actually originates with a "loose spring" in the carb,
according to my mechanic.

Hitting a good size wave basically knocks the choke partially closed and the
engine sucks to choke closed the rest of the way.

I discovered this weekend that the way to remedy the situation is before
attempting to restart the engine, I put the shifter in neutral and move the
lever forwards a couple of times, then put the lever back where the button
releases and it is ready to put in gear. I restart the engine and voila, no
more hard idling, etc. Seems that priming the engine with the shift lever in
neutral resets the choke and I am "off to the races".

Short of a complete carb overhaul to change out a somewhat tired old spring
(that works 99 % of the time), all I have to do to prevent this condition is
take greater care when approaching another boat's wake. Hitting it head on
and launching my boat over the wake is the principle cause of this engine
condition, but taking the wake at a more progressive angle eliminates the
hard jarring the choke gets and prevents the choke closing.

I might rebuild the carb next year, not sure.

Thanks for all the hints.

Regards
Bill/Cdnviking

"Jack Redington" wrote in message
nk.net...
trainfan1 wrote:
Butch Davis wrote:

This is an outboard, right?


A 250 Cubic Inch 165 hp outboard by Mercruiser? No... this is an I/O
with a Chevrolet-based I-6 engine... which is why I question the "pumping
the fuel bulb" part of the problem...

This has to be right. Out first boat had a 165 hp Mercrusier io. (1970
trihull) The thing had more pulling power than a tractor. That 250cid
block would make one tall outboard :-)

I am confused by the primer bulb comment as well..

Capt Jack R..