Help starting older outboard

Thanks, that's how my dad's old Mercury in the 70's needed to be started. This control doesn't have the warmup lever like his did. Just happens the mechanic who will be tuning it up used to own the boat my son bought originally. Son got it from a friend's grandpa.

Thanks, I'll have him try it.

check the compression on all cylinders first what are they in order? Some motor are killer to crank with low compression. Next what is your fuels psi leaving the fuel pump needs to be about 6psi while cranking at a minimum. from there check from tank to carbs for any crack or leak...the smallest amount of air can cause huge problems. if carbbed check bowls and jets for debris. if EFI check for air in system and debris in cleanouts and filter seperator...lots to check for sure

We had that same motor on my Dad's boat. It was always cold natured and took a while to warm up. Always had ot keep the choke on for a few minutes to get it running good and warm so it wouldnt die.

LAst issue we had with it was due to one of the coil packs going out. Definately made it harder to start when all of the cylinders werent firing.

I used to always start mine on ear muffs in the driveway the night before taking it out, always seems to fire up better the next morning at the boat launch....and then you're not "that guy" at the marina cranking and smoking out the boat launch

Now I have an F250 and it starts every time on first crank.