My port motor will not go above 3500rpms (and thats trimmed to the moon) starboard is fine, I checked the throttle linkage and it seemed to be ok. Could this be a carb problem? the carbs spent the winter laying in the shop uncovered, I wasnt too concerned about them because I was going to replace them this spring but havent had the time to go shopping yet

Anyone else have any suggestions as to why the engine would be running this way?

Ignition Timing maybe? Oh by the way, Ive got an engine in pieces, lost a head. Ill have to take the ferry to the islands this weekend. If you want to try a quadrajet, ive got 2 doing nothing.

Would be just a guess with no more information but you could swap carbs pretty easy to test. Make sure your throttle is opening completely. Pull the air cleaner and check. It does not have to be running. Safer if it is not.

Is it just real lazy - not missing making unusual noise basically? How does it run up to 3500?

Can you hear the secondaries kick in?

paradigm, it runs up to 3k fine then I have to trim the hell out of it to get to 3500.

Krumbsnatcher, its kind of hard to hear on my boat (all you can hear is wind) but I think you are on to something.

I will try swapping the carbs first to eliminate that as a problem

Also get a visual on your linkage. Take off your flame arrestor and manually have a buddy WOT take a quick measure and compare if the linkage on both motors are being used efficiently, they should both be able to open the carbs wide open at WOT.

Just thinking of another way.

Could be a fuel pump that is low on volume.

Had a similar problem and it turned out to be a partially clogged fuel filter. Just wasn't getting enough fuel.

I just ran into the same problem with my brothers Pantera. Motor ran fine, good fuel pressure, timing on. Turned out to be a bad bushing in his lower unit. Alpha 1. Found brass in gear oil. Should get it back this week. Good Luck!