For what it's worth ... my carb float stuck a few times last season
resulting in gas trickling into the maniold ... rough idle and so on. So
following that line of thinking, maybe you've got some grit whatever
preventing the needle valve from closing completely allowing excess gas
flow.


"Glenn Deneweth" wrote in message
...
I have a 230hp 305, with a Mercruiser Alpha 1 (1986) and this year when I
run the engine there are a strong smell of gas fumes, the engine is
running
rich. It also runs a little rough. Would turning the mixture screw fix
both of these issues? I had the carb rebuilt 2 years ago, and tuned up
the
engine the same time. It's not running that rough, and but rougher than
last year. How long do spark plugs and wire last? I also have electronic
ignition if that matters.

Thanks,

Glenn