1974 Evinrude 70 hp hard to start and no top end.

[Swampy54]

I just got this motor and so far all I’ve done is change the plugs. To start it you have to manually pull the choke lever out. Turn the key till it burps push the choke back in and it starts. It’ll run in gear at low speed. Anything more than 1/2 throttle it dogs down and no power. Then it dies and you have to go the choke sequence again. Apparently the choke switch under the key doesn’t work. Ideas?

 

[Silvertip]

Step 1: Fix the choke. Step 2: Fresh gas??? Step 3: Fire on all three plugs??? Step 4: Clean the carburetors. Those are just starting points.

 

[Swampy54]

Fresh gas yes. Fix the electric choke I’m gonna try .
The middle coil is cracked also

 

[boobie]

Do a compression test on it. Also check your spark. Should jump a 7/16" gap on an open air gap spark tester.