Re: looses spark now and then/ and runs rich when it runs...
have a merc 233 here, but the windsor 351. Sure all the accessories are the same as yours.<br /><br />step 1: remove points, condensor<br /><br />step 2: throw overboard<br /><br />step 3: buy a pertronix ignitor II, along with their Flamethrower coil. You have a prestolite distributor, correct? With a clip down cap, you need pertronix 91581; with screw down cap it's 91582. Reference page 27 of
http://www.pertronix.com/ignition_products/pdf_files/ignitor_ignitor2.pdf <br /><br /><br />Don't go any further with the points !<br /><br />On the pertronix, it's very very easy to install. Red wire goes to + side of coil. Black wire anywhere there is good ground.<br /><br /><br />With the carb, and I am familiar with Holleys since that's what I run now, but usually running very rich at idle with dripping gas is an indication of a blown power valve. In any case, you will need to pull the carb and have it completely cleaned out and rebuilt, especially if it sat for a length of time. Been there, done that.<br /><br />I don't know your situation and whether it's worth it for you but before you go dumping money into an old carb, for around $400 you can get a brand new holley 4-barrel marine carb and will make worlds of difference in performance and power. The only catch is you would also need the correct intake manifold for the carb to fit on, and modify the throttle cable attachment.<br />I got my new 351w with the holley 4 barrel in 1993. Went 9 years and 500 hours before I even had to think of working on the carb, which only needed a new power valve cause I wasn't getting top rpm.