Need help Merc 110 70hp

[PacWest]

ITS A 70 HP NOT A 110. had a hard time cranking it.
Rebuilt carbs, and still gotta crank it 20 times, and use starting fluid.
When it runs it runs great.
Any ideas? I'm lost.

[rhardwick]

What year is the engine?

[PacWest]

1982
Very long story short, it may be the reeds. Yupp, the ones that wrap around the crank shaft. I've torn the head off and I'm gonna go for it!