are there any mechanics on line today. I need help with a 1979 mercury 150 v6. I have just replaced the intake manifold gasket. and the fuel line and the fuel pump was just rebuilt. I replaced the fuel filter, and checked all the carbs and lines. The motor starts and idles pretty good but when you take off across the water it falls flat on its face and wont go. it acts like it may be starving for fuel, but the squeeze ball stays pumped up. and to keep it running you have to choke it. If any one can help me with this please respond or feel free to call me at 817-793-7425
Thanks in advance. Ricky

Floats set too low, not enough fuel pressure, link and synch not set right, timing not advancing, faulty points and condensor, clogged main jets.

Carbs need to be cleaned and rebuilt with new gaskets. If you choke it and it picks up then that will fix it 95% of the time.

maybe i should add that it ran pretty good prior to finding out that the intake gasket was bad, the only reason for all the work done was it was hard to start. once it started it ran great. Now it starts easier but it wont open up and run.

dont run it like that again get someone to check the carbs , if you keep running it lean like that youll kick a rod for shure

Can you explain why you say it is running lean ? forgive the lack of knowledge - what would cause it to be lean ?

Well,,, you have an airleak somewhere or your timing is out of adjustment. Check to make sure that when you give it thottle, the timing advances too. May just be a cable adjustment.

It may be possible for the air leak. But if it ran good before I changed the intake gasket and filters and lines. Is it possible for the timing to be changed, if I didnt do anything to the linkages ?

I appreciate all the help from you guys. Please keep the advice comming.

If your carbs are what the problem is which thats what it sounds like it is. The you are not getting enough gas to the motor and on your motor that means your not getting enough oil as well. So as Stick Steering said you really need to get it looked at before your run it again. This same problem has caused many motor failures.

lean is not enough fuel therfore not enough oil

Well I found out today that one of my power packs went out. That is why it wouldn't run and why it wont even start now. It is only firing on 3 cylinders.
A BIG THANKS to the guys at Jeff's motor boat repair on Country Club Rd. near Cleburne Lake ( lake Pat Cleburne ). The guys were more than willing to help me on the boat ramp as soon as they seen that I was having problems, and we took it to their shop so they could check it out. They did a couple of tests and showed me exactly what the problems was. If you are having problems and near Cleburne lake, don't hesitate to go see them. Thanks guys, and I will definately be back to get that power pack.
And hopefully be back to fishing soon.

that happened to me just 2 weeks ago

Hey guys, I replaced the power pack on my motor and I am still not firing on all cylinders. UGH ! Do you know what else it could be ?