7.4 mercruiser Help please

[daklane2000]

ok ok so I know we here are outboard guys but I am hoping someone can help. i have a 97 Baja Hammer that has a 7.4 mercruiser. We were driving across the lake and it just decided to shut off. the engine will turn over but will not start. the boat also has a goofy messed up oil sending unit. im not sure if it is tripping something and its not letting it start. im not sure. it will have to be replaced either way. I checked fuses and connections to just see if something came off or blew. everything was good. Second time out and this happens. Any help would be greatly appriciated. thanks.

[vnemous]

May sound stupid but hows your kill switch?

[Rider]

Were you hammering across in some serious chop? It most likey is a carb related problem. Is it the OEM one on there? Does it crank over but not start? Happens all the time on my friends boat, I'm looking into replacing the carb this fall.

[daklane2000]

As a matter of fact we were out on 3fters or so crankin' so it may be as your friends... What does he do to get it up n goin again? I may be guessin here but stick the float closed? Yes it is a factory carb replaced a few years ago so I was told ( I just bought it on Fri 7-2 ) As far as the kill switch, there was not a lanyard hooked up, and it's been running... Any more help is GREATLY appreciated!!!

[Rider]

run Startron and Marvel Mystery oil in the gas, follow the directions and you will notice a difference, yes, the float sticks as the fuel litterally pours down the intake. Also the fuel evaporates into the bilge from the rough running. It will start again, you just have to turn the engine over again to prime the carb for 20 seconds. I put an electric fuel pump by the tank that when the key is turned on, it is energized for 5 seconds and prime the fuel system. Next on the list is replacing the carb.

[daklane2000]

Hey Rider thanks for the info, I'll give her a try tomorrow Thanks again Bill

[Raceman]

Have you plugged a timing light to it to check for fire?

[daklane2000]

Unfortunately the weather turned, so I did not get a chance to do any diagnostics on it...
I am planning on checking for fuel/ spark deliver as soon as we get a decent break in the weather... I'll keep you guys posted!!! Thanks for the thoughts, it's greatly appreciated!!!!!

[Raceman]

If you've got fire, you could always pour a small amount of fuel in the carb throat, OR hit it with starting fluid to see if it's a fuel issue.

[daklane2000]

Hey Thanks guys,

Turns out it was the distributor went bad, not the coil, or ignition module but the dist itself... Seems to be running fine now. Thanks everyone for your thoughts suggestions and help
Bill

[Raceman]

Since you said coil or module, I assume that it'a an HEI. What in an HEI distributor would go bad if not the coil or module?

[daklane2000]

Hey Raceman, the wiring at the base that connects to the module...