85 evinrude sea drive - running in water

[NoMessProducts]

Short background: bought boat - ran but not in water. Checked compression only to find stripped plug holes on starboard side. Bought new head, wouldn't start. Found starter was bad and maybe solenoid. Replaced both. Started up and blew a plug out port side. Replaced that head as well. Now starts every time... but

When I put it in the water and attempt to shift to forward or reverse, it dies. Not sure what to do now.

Any advice?

 

[jbuote]

Relative newbie here, and no experience with that particular engine, but...

​Was it tuned and idle speed set on muffs? If so, then the idle is too low when on water.. The backpressure will lower rpms when on a lake..
​Try adjusting idle rpm while on lake? (Broad stroke here.. )

​Anyway, that's a starting point I'd consider, but the real pro's can (and will I'm sure) advise further and better! lol

​Hope it helps somewhat..

 

[boobie]

What was the compression on it after you replaced the heads ??

 

[NoMessProducts]

Compression was 100 and 105 after replacing the heads. I'll try adjusting the idle today and see if that works.

Funny story: I cleaned the ground but missed reinstalling a single wire. Ends up that wire was the one that shuts off the engine. As I was trying to figure out how to turn the engine off, I was able to shut off 2 cylinders of the 4. That dang motor ran on 2 cylinders. I was impressed.... and depressed I couldn't get it to turn off. Ended up disconnecting the fuel but later figured out the missing ground (kill wire).