Engine Not Starting

The problem started about 3 weeks ago I was pulling a rider when the engine started to come down in power and then back up. Kind of like i was throttleing up and down and then it would backfire. The problem would also happen in neutral. Now the engine won't start. I started with fuel: changed fuel filter, inline and seperator filer, I even sprayed starter fluid in carb and still would not start. I then moved to electrical : new spark plugs, wires, distbuter, rotor, ignition coil and ignition resitor. I have changed everything possible. I am not getting 12volts from the coil for some reason. When you ground the spark plugs there is no spark. I also have electronic ignition. Boat has a 351 ford clevland. ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh

The starter is turning over and spinning the engine just the engine itself is not turning over. No Spark. Anyone know what needs to be connected to the ignition coil? Or have a general wiring diagram? the one on references is to faded.

I am not sure where it came from but its a 1985 (Correct craft) Ski nautique 2001. The engine is a 351 cleavend. The boat has a petrox electronic ignition.The wiring on the engine is all screwed up. the person who owned it before had the engine all rigged up. Also there is a black box under my dash that has a bunch of wires connected what is the box?Does anyone have picture of there ingnition wiring like ing coil, ing resistor and starter relay. That would help.

If you are not getting spark then check your Coil. If you have replaced this, then check the Emergency Cut off switch. Also the Starter Solnoid on the Rear of the motor right in front of the exhaust collector. there should be a black plastic cover with a red button comming out of it. Check that.

It's probably not the coil as he has mentioned that he already replaced it. What type of electronic ignition system are you dealing with? Sometimes those do go bad. I had a Mallory electric eye setup that would get fried if it ever had a voltage spike like from a bad regulator or a jumpstart. It had a spaghetti looking mess for wiring with the resistor and all that junk. I now have an HEI style distributor from performancedistributors.com that eliminates all of the headache. It has two, yes only two wires to hook up- one for 12v power and one for the tach. I can't really remember how all of the original wiring was, but I'm guessing that the electronic ignition module has failed in your boat.