Well i just got the call from the OMC guys..compression checked out fine, igniton system checked out fine..engine was run in a test tank and found both thermostats stuck open causing engine to never come out of fast-start. and they also said that the sync and link was out. they replaced thermostats and properly setup sync and link and say the engine is running like it should now..they said they also put a test wheel on the engine and ran at WOT and said engine in also running fine up there as well..

so i will see how she runs when i get it back in the water, but i remember fast-start cutting out last time i had it in the water..but what do you guys think? they said with the engine not comming up to temp because of the thermostats, that the engine could run lean and that is where i was seeing the flame behind the butterfly..they also explained the the big loopers like to have temperature in them to run well..

Running too cold will make them run rich, not lean. And they don't like to run cold. The big OMC loopers are the most cold natured engine ever built I think. And the fast idle will kick out after about 2-3 minutes regardless of engine temp.

that is what i thought as well, colder engine should run rich not lean..maybe he was just backwards..i didn't know this about the fast-start..but i was pretty sure it kicked out last time i ran the engine..thanks for the info and i will post back once i get boat back and get to run the engine again and see how it does.

Good move...:party: