Engine gradual shutdown

[ArtJ]

I have had a good season with my engine this year till this weekend.
I have been tracking down shutdowns for a couple of years previously.
This past weekend on a return trip from Provincetown the engine shutdown
twice several hours apart. The first instance was for no apparent reason
and gradually started to stumble. I went below and squeezed the priming
bulb and it restarted immediately and ran several hours. the second instance
was about another 3 hours later when i increased the rpm from 1800 to 1900 rpm. It shutdown and I again squeezed the priming bulb and it ran the rest of the day. I was reluctant to increase the rpm again above 1800 though.
I am wondering if either air is gradually getting in the fuel line or if there
is enough volume of fuel getting through, possibly due to clogged filers?
I have never seen the engine shutdown when applying a minor increase
of rpm before.
Over last winter I switched to Petronix, a new coil, a new Facet pump,
'shortened the run and sealed all fuel lines carefully .
Could the high speed jet be the cause? I know there is a low speed
idle adjustment.
Thanks and Regards

Art

PS the previous years shutdowns were more abrupt, so I think this is a different issue. I had also thoroughly cleaned the tank. The filters
polishing and separator were replaced last fall just before haulout.

[Marian Claire]

Art: I can not find my post that describes it but I had a similar issue and it turned out to be a bad squeeze bulb sticking and stopping the fuel flow. Was the bulb flaccid after the shut down? Dan S/V Marian Claire

[jpian0923]

Timing might not be advancing. Inspect inside distributor to rule that out.

[hanleyclifford]

Art - Since squeezing the bulb seems to recharge the fuel line it wouldn't hurt to make sure your fuel tank vent is clear. Regards, Hanley

[ArtJ]

Thanks guys
I am not sure that the bulb was flacid or not, but I was able to pump it without
difficulty. I will check the vent. As far as the timing advance goes, I checked
this spring and the flyweights were well lubricated and rust free moving normally.

Thanks and Regards

Art

PS Which way should the bulb be? flacid or not?

[jpian0923]

Once you have pumped it, it should stay full and firm.

[sastanley]

Art, those cheap little squeezy bulbs & the check valves inside are always an issue. If I had one on my boat, I would have it on my list of regular maintenance items that I replace (maybe every season??).

They aren't very expensive..what if you replace just that one part and see how it goes? Hopefully that will solve the issue.

Personally, I found the squeezy bulb more trouble that it was worth (& have since removed it). Just this weekend, I started the engine at the dock (forgot to open the fuel petcock) and when the engine quit, I was easily able to prime the line by actuating my mech. fuel pump lever. I would think an electric fuel pump would be even quicker.

[Marian Claire]

All I can say is that when I had a stumble/shut down the bulb was very soft and took several pumps to get pressure back with the first few pumps seeming to do nothing. When my system is working properly the bulb has some firmness and resistance is felt in just a couple of pumps. The difference is fairly noticeable.
Dan S/V Marian Claire

[ArtJ]

Thanks guys I will check this out.

Regards

Art