Help me start this 502!
 

Pulled my boat out of storage after winterizing. Got it started fairly easily and let motor run for a couple minutes. I noticed one of the muffs had cracked over the winter. I brought the boat in and they were able to repair fiberglass. They test ran to check for leaks. I get my boat back and decide to go for a ride. Bring it to access, start the boat and it dies. Pump the throttle(carb'd 502), starts and dies pump the throttle more. nothing wont fire. I figure i must have flooded it. i have never not been able to start my boat although sometimes it is difficult. Brought the boat home let it sit for a while and nothing.. Let it sit for a couple days, and tried to start. i could hear it fire almost instantly and then die. Turned it over more and nothing. Pump up the throttle, nothing but i smell fuel. let it sit for a few more days repeat process same results. I decided to change plugs they looked black and fouled some were wet. got some starting fluid. Tried with new plugs nothing, used starter fluid nothing. let boat sit for a few days. Go to start, fires almost instantly and dies. Ii crank it some more almost starts, but doesnt and then nothing. I pump the throttle smell fuel im getting nothing and give up again.. What is going on here? Is each cylinder flooded with fuel from weeks ago? Please help i dont want to bring to shop and let sit for weeks

Have you check to see if the carb is flooding? Have you checked to see if you have ignition?

Fixx
 

check coil wire for corrosion,, if all looks good suspect the hall effect pick in the distributor if theirs no spark..

check all electrical connections, from battery to starter to alternator. Check make sure batteries are holding a charge

Check for spark . Could be a bad coil, or ignition module. Go to the parts store and get a spark tester, or, grit your teeth together and hold a spark plug to ground while turning the engine over . Do this after you've hit it a couple of times like you describe

engine off ,,,looks down the carb,,,while someone movers the throttles back and forth,,,you should see a stream of gas every time they move the throttles,,,might be your accelerator pump,,,

Starts and dies indicates that you are getting spark. Sounds like a fuel problem.

I agree !

Did u change the fuel filter and cleaned the carb after u got it out of winter sleep.

If u smell fuel, i think it may be a carb ( needle sticking )problem or check the spark plugs and see how they look !!

With some gas in the carb bowls the accelerator pumps will squirt and let the engine start. If the fuel pump is not working or not working well you won't get enough fuel to keep the motor running. Can you check for fuel pressure while cranking the motor over?? Installing a temporary gauge from an auto parts store to verify the fuel pressure will help diagnose a fuel issue.

If you have fuel pressure and are fouling plugs maybe a needle and seat stuck open?? If someone turns over the motor while you are cautiously looking at the carb with the flame arrestor off you will see fuel coming out the horns if a needle and seat are stuck.

Make sure the choke is not stuck also.

Or turn the motor over for 15-20 sec and then take the plugs out of the bowls and check for fuel. The fuel should be right at the bottom of the hole for the plug. Or pump the accelerator pump several times. If the pumps don't squirt fuel after a couple of pumps you are not getting enough fuel to keep the bowls full i.e. bad fuel pump, clogged filter. Don't forget there may be filters in the carb where the fuel line enters the carb.