85 mercruiser 3.0 wont start carb coughs

[zildjian29]

Before the engine would run but not under load. Now it won't start if it does its for a very short time. Plugs and wires are new the points are good its getting gas. I treated the gas with seafoam and techron. Could the timing be off all of a sudden? The carb coughs up smoke when trying to start. Don't know what to try next! Carb looks to be rebuilt recently. I'm frustrated. Please any ideas would help. Hoping I didn't mess something up.

 

[zildjian29]

Re: 85 mercruiser 3.0 wont start carb coughs

I figured it out number 2 and 3 wires were crossed. Still running rough though.

 

[alldodge]

Re: 85 mercruiser 3.0 wont start carb coughs

Running rough could still be your firing order, it should be 1-3-4-2 and the distributer rotates clockwise.

If it was dieing under load I would be looking at fuel issue. The old saying, if you have bad gas you cannot make it good by adding additives such as seafoam and the like.