1997 MercCruiser 5.7LX Thunderbolt - Wont Start

[jtmiller68]

Need some help and/or suggestions. I have a 1997 Mercruiser 350 5.LX 4 BBL with a Thunderbolt V ignition system that wont start. When turning it over, It tries like hell and coughs, gags, spits and farts but wont go. It is getting plenty of fuel and I have changed out a crap load of electrical parts with nothing making a difference. Replaced Distributor Cap, Rotor, Sensor inside of Distributor, Plugs, Starter and Coil. Nothing made any difference at all. When trying to start it sounds like it is almost ready to go and then just spits and coughs.

I have been reading posts for the last 2 days and have tried multiple things with no good results.

BTW - it was running for about 30 min or so and then died out like it ran out of fuel (which it didnt). Wouldn't restart after that.

Any help would be greatly appreciated !!!

 

[alldodge]

Howdy

Here is the TBV troubleshooting guide, it will tell you what is wrong

 

[NHGuy]

put a teaspoon of gas down the carb and see if it runs for a few seconds.

 

[Bondo]

Replaced Distributor Cap, Rotor, Sensor inside of Distributor, Plugs, Starter and Coil. Nothing made any difference at all. When trying to start it sounds like it is almost ready to go and then just spits and coughs.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,...... You've verified have this is installed properly, ei; timin', firin' order, etc,..??

Are the spark plugs wet or dry after you've been tryin' to start it,..??