350 inboard backfired then died

[ripcurl2785]

Running in yesterday the port engine on the blackfin backfired then quit. After running out 15miles and trolling for 7hours then running back 10 miles. I lifted the engine cover and checked the cap and rotor, removed the flame arrester and checked for fuel out the squirter jets and a shot of fuel came out. The engines are omc 350 inboards with electronic ignition and rochester carbs. ANY suggestions on where to start looking? fuel filters are only 3 weeks old could a failed mechanical fuel pump cause this problem? note the motor fired back up one time then quit and wouldnt restart. As soon as we made it into dock it started pouring so i will have to wait till after work today to dig in.

[seapower]

I would check the timing and then compression. That will give you a good start. Frank

[ripcurl2785]

Update. When the motor quit we were still getting spark. Thought the issue was fuel related, cleaned the carb. Go through the fuel system and check everything. Go to start motor and now im not getting any spark. Check cap and rotor all look good. Check for spark coming out of coil.... Nothing. Get out the volt meter and check voltages to coil. Everything is same as other motor and still not getting anything out of coil. The boat has petronix electronic ignition kits on them. swap ignition coil with other motors coil... still nothing. Could the module under the distributor cap cause me to not get any spark???? even out of the coil??? Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Tim

[gcredle]

No spark coming from coil.....could you have a bad ballast resistor?

[algdog]

I used to have a pair of gas inboards that at startup in the spring, would backfire every once in a while, and every couple of times the air intakes(little flapper plates on the top of the carbs) would go past closed just a little and would get stuck there. a light rap with the back of a screwdriver would free them up and let air in to run.

[joeksr]

things that happened to me with twin 350's.
Lost an engine off shore. turned out the distributor wire was arking from the cap connection. Wire looked good but wasnt. Check your wires. A little electrical tape got it running again till I got another one and a spare.
Another time engine quit. was a bad connection to the Tach. Guess it stole all the juice.
fixed the connection all was well. Simple things but it doesn't take much.
I'm sure you know this but be carefull with the output of the coil. It can hurt you.