I just bought a 1987 17 foot canaventure with a 3.0 merc it was running great for the first few trips (noticed a lil back fire nothing serious i thought) it was rebuilt 18 months ago i got all the paperwork so i do no it was done!!! about weak ago noticed tapping sound in the engine thought it may be an exhaust leak so i pulled the pipes from the manifold off pulled my old shutter out and replaced it(it was very warn) changed a few gaskets. i was out today and ticking sound still there i am now almost sure it is my rocker arms, Now i am almost sure that is my ticking. butt to my surprice today when i was in gear under load my carb was starving for fuel and when i putt in neutral it was fine reved up to 4500 rpm, i am thinking water in the fuel. butt for some strange reason the previous owner disconected the choke not realy sure why butt i am thinking cause it didn;t work anymore does it sound like i can use a new carb or rebuilt carb please if anyone has tips on this engine pass them my way thankyou
