1979 Evinrude 85 hp starting problems (long story)

[84conv65hard]

I have a 1979 Evinrude 85hp Model #85995R. The motor was rebuilt in 1998 and I only put about 10 hours on it before life took up my boating time. Boat/motor have not been started for about 18 years and I decided this spring it's time to get back on the water (retirement helped this decision). I have rebuilt the carburetors, replaced all fuel lines and spark plugs, cleaned out and flushed the inboard fuel tank and put in new gas/oil. Water pump is working good (but I will replace it shortly). Now this boat and motor is 3 hours away so not conveniently close to work on continuously. The issues I'm having is getting it started, sometimes it will start right up but idle slow, cough and shut down. When I try to restart, it will crank real fast (acting like it's starving for fuel or flooding) and finally start but low rpms. If I try to give it gas with the throttle it will cough and die. If I have the throttle halfway up and it starts low rpms, after a minute or 2 (if it doesn't cough and die) it will rev up to my throttle position and be ready to go. It will then take off fine and run great as long as I'm throttled up. When I'm slowing down and need slow speed, it will start to cough again then die. Tomorrow I plan to do a compression check (How are the cylinders numbered? Which is 1, 2, 3, and 4). I also want to check that the spark is good on all 4 cylinders, What should I also look for?

 

[racerone]

Top cylinder is #1 on those motors.----Was there fuel left in the carburetors 18 years ago ?

 

[84conv65hard]

There are 2 cylinders on the top of a V4, Top starboard or top port side?. Yes, there was fuel left in the carbs, that's why I removed, soaked, cleaned, sprayed out with air and carb cleaner and replaced everything. I even used a small torch tip cleaner to make sure every orifice and needles were clean of debris and/or gunk.

 

[racerone]

Sorry you miss-understood !----The cylinder on one side is higher than the other side.---Just look again !

 

[84conv65hard]

Just got back from the boat, Compression check #1-125, #2-130, #3-125, #4-125, Have good spark at all 4 plugs, I'm open for suggestions?

 

[racerone]

When you had the carburetor bowls off and in your hands did you remove and clean the high speed jets ( orifice plugs ) that are found way inside the bowls ?

 

[84conv65hard]

Yes I did, I actually pulled both carbs today and brought them home so I can take a look at everything again. Was curious if something might have slipped thru the cracks.