Engine wouldn't fire without throttle after overnight

[KD4UPL]

The only numbers I have are in posts #4 and #11. I didn't get any actual numbers from my mechanic (but I can ask if it helps). It does seem the regulator is either bad or at least periodically gives low pressure which would still be bad.
Is there a downside to just running it this way with a little throttle at start up once in a while. The overall power and performance of th engine are fine otherwise.
Any experience on if pulling the engine is really necessary to make this repair?

 

[JustJason]

I've never seen a regulator go bad intermittently; they either work or they don't, they either leak or they don't. For the sake of argument, lets say your regulator is failing intermittently. If you leave the hose disconnected, every time the regulator is working correctly and not failing, the engine's going to get too much fuel, leading to a flooding condition.

Let me ask you this: when the regulator was unplugged, was the resulting vacuum leak plugged? If it wasn't, and the engine was running better with a vacuum leak, that's a whole other issue.

 

[KD4UPL]

I'm not sure if they plugged it or not. It smoothed out the "lumpy" loopey idle.
Yeah, I don't like the idea of running rich either. I think I'm inclined to just have it fixed properly. Getting stranded on the water isn't my idea of a good time.