i rebuild the carb and fuel pump clean recirc system and replaced head gasket. checked reed plates but the only way it will idle good is if air screw is turned all the way in ? and suggestion will be appreciated thanks.
I guess its a matter of elimination, as Jerry says, check compression and spark. If you have those then your carb rebuild may be botched (as I have done). Its amazing how little the dirt it takes to screw them up.
motor is like new still has cross hatches in cylinder with 140 compression on both.. i have nothing but trouble on outboard engines its just not my thing i guess
If it idles OK with the cover off and only dies when you put the cover on I’d be looking for an exhaust leak. The exhaust gasses may be filling up the cover and chocking the motor.