Fuel filter and Engine starting

[Searaybio270]

Ok - I am working on my 1988 270 SD. She has 4.3L/175HP Mercruisers with carbs. I started the engines last week both ran fine except for the Starboard engine that wouldn't idle. Just so you know, we rebuilt the outdrives and new carb kits on both. Port engine was fine no issue.
I decided to replace the fuel filters. Took both of, both looked good, but replaced them anyway. Added fuel to the filter housing and started the port engine. She ran nice so I backed her down to idle. She idled like a kitten. I waited a little while and then she died. Started her again and she ran for a bit then died again. I checked the fuel housing and the housing was about half full. Add fuel and started again. Ran then shut down.
I was sitting here at working thinking why? My question is this:
I have the Port side fuel filter and housing disconnected from the fuel tank. Could that cause it to lose vacuum on the starboard side and cause it to stall out?

Thanks,
Joe :huh:

 

[Lazy Daze]

Actually, no vacuum is what you WANT. If you get a vacuum in the tank, THAT could/would stop the flow of fuel. No, the fuel line/filter won't affect the other side.

Ok - I am working on my 1988 270 SD. She has 4.3L/175HP Mercruisers with carbs. I started the engines last week both ran fine except for the Starboard engine that wouldn't idle. Just so you know, we rebuilt the outdrives and new carb kits on both. Port engine was fine no issue.
I decided to replace the fuel filters. Took both of, both looked good, but replaced them anyway. Added fuel to the filter housing and started the port engine. She ran nice so I backed her down to idle. She idled like a kitten. I waited a little while and then she died. Started her again and she ran for a bit then died again. I checked the fuel housing and the housing was about half full. Add fuel and started again. Ran then shut down.

I was sitting here at working thinking why? My question is this:
I have the Port side fuel filter and housing disconnected from the fuel tank. Could that cause it to lose vacuum on the starboard side and cause it to stall out?

Can you clarify some things, Joe? It sounds like you are saying you can't get the port engine to run, yet you have the fuel filter and housing disconnected? I'm guessing you just have some words mixed up, but just want to double check.

 

[Searaybio270]

Dennis,
You may have answered my question. Since I hadn't connected the fuel filter for the Port engine to the tank I wasn't sure if that was causing an issue on the other engine. Ie, fuel filter connected to the starboard engine but the one for the port is still off.
What I don't get is both ran well before I pulled the filters other than the starboard when it came to ideling.
I plan to try the port engine tonight to see if there is an issue with that one.
Again, both engines ran last weekend with the old fuel. There is fuel in the fuel filter housing so I am not sure why it isn't now. Wondering if I should remove the carb and check the floats.
Fuel - I only had about 10gallons in the tank and the boat did sit for a few years but did start and run. I added 30 gallons with some fuel additives (Marine type) with the 30 gallons and over the years. I sampled the fuel and didn't find any water or anything else for that matter.
Hope that helps