Ryanw10

When I first got the boat the screws were like 3 turns out, first thing I did was bring them to 1 and a 1/2 turns out. This helped it start better but had little to no effect on idle.

And yes, it needs throttle to stay running. As soon as I try to bring it back to nuetral it stalls.

liberator221

With throttle open you are off the idle circuit any way , but that will get give you a starting point after you find other problem.
Like Alldodge said look to see if fuel dripping out of venturies (flooding) if not try the carb cleaner to see if it’s to lean. Need a starting point for direction.

Ryanw10

In some of my research last night I came across the idle transfer slots may have too much exposed, but the carb needs to be removed to check these. Going to look tonight for fuel dripping from the venturies and try once again to get a timing reading while it is cold and I can have it idling around 1000 rpms. If nothing comes from either of those things I think the next step is to take the front float bowl and metering block apart and see if the idle circuit has a clog. If still nothing after that, pull the carb and check transfer slots.

SB

iTrader: (1)

Grt the whole thing apart. These carbs are quite easy. Clean out all passages (don’t forget 8 air bleeds top of carb. ) with carb clean with red tube and compressed air. Rubber tip blow gun.

If needle and seats haven't been replaced ever or long time, good chance for those.

Crude Intentions

iTrader: (1)

I’d start with a full carb rebuild and cleaning. Sounds like dirty carb issues to me. Also verify float levels. Too high and itll stall from excess fuel

Ryanw10

Thanks guys, I did verify float levels and those were good. With the boat on level ground I could see fuel just below the sight holes.
Supposedly this carb was completely rebuilt this summer but I do not know if whoever did it knew what they were doing, and I do not know if idle issues were happening before/after the carb rebuild.

liberator221

If you can't get the idle low enough to check timing you could mark the dist and just advance it to see if the idle will settle down any so you can get a light on it. Then you can put it back where marked and it will be clowe enough till you find the problem and set it correctly.
Is this a stock camshaft or performance?

Ryanw10

I am unsure on the cam but my gut tells me its stock.

More research on lunch today and I see a lot of Holley carbs have 4 corner idle adjustments. Yesterday when I noticed that I had 2 idle adjustments in the front of the carb and not the back, I went to a chevy 350 I have with similar holley carb and it also only had 2 idle adjustment screws on the front metering block. The one on the 350 though the metering blocks in the front and back were clearly different. The Holley on this 454 the metering blocks front and back appear very similar, so maybe I do have the 4 corner idle adjustment and I need 2 more idle adjustments screws in the back of the carburetor?

liberator221

I doubt that is it, but take a small wire and stick in the rear holes. I think you will find they are not drilled all the way.

Griff

Some Holley carbs have 4 corner adjustment and some only have 2. You should be able to adjust it with 2 just fine.