My problems are with a 1978 Evinrude 85hp, model # 85899C, ser # J0001188. The shift cable broke so I ordered TWO new control cables and replaced the shift cable and the throttle cable. When I put the boat in the water the throttle cable needed adjustment for the engine to idle properly. Once the idle was right I shifted into forward and reverse and that seemed to operate fine and did not need adjustment. In order to achieve the correct idle the trunnion nut on the throttle cable is at its maximum adjustment. I did some fishing but after running the engine at higher RPM, anything over idle, the engine would race when I shifted from gear back to neutral. When I removed the motor cowling I saw that the linkage above the throttle was not returning to its idle position. The linkage I am trying to describe pivots on the same point as the throtle and extends under the flywheel and I think it is to the timing base. Please pardon my descriptions, I am working with a Clymer manual and I don't find it very helpful for a rookie. I could push the timing linkage back to its idle position and when restarted the engine would idle fine. The linkage seemed to operate fine, the problem seemed to be that the mechanism under the flywheel would not freely rotate back to its idle or "rest" position. To me it was an inconvience that I would deal with later. The engine runs of two 6.5 gallon tanks and as I was returning to the ramp (about a mile away) the first tank ran out and I connected the fuel line to the second tank and the engine stalled. I checked to make sure the bulb was firm and that the second tank was vented. Both tanks had been filled and mixed the previous day. The engine restarted several times but stalled either right away or as soon as gear was engaged. Of course this happened in a busy channel on a Sunday afternoon with literally hundreds of boats zooming by. After starting several times and stalling, suddenly there was no response when I turned the key. I had not drained the battery because the very last time it started it cranked strongly. I broke out the paddle and stroked for shore, got to the ramp and hauled the boat out. The only other possible symptom I can describe occured several times as I was running accross open water earlier in the day. As I was running across open water and the engin was running about 3600 rpm it seemed to be missing, and then occassionally the engine would surge to about 4500 rpm and run smooth as silk. I know it has to be something with the timing linkage but my limited knowlege leaves me guessing. I am sorry for the long post but am trying to be as clear and thorough as possible in my description of the problem. If anyone can offer any advice on how to figure out what is wrong I would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks in advance. Joe
