Vaopr Lock help please

So, just rebuit the 352 in my 65 Merc. Runs great. Starts great, idles good and does not overheat. After sitting for 10-15 min it is really hard to restart. Cranks at normal speed, but no go. If I 'feather' the gas a little it will usally go, but at very low RPM and puking black smoke until it clears. I'm thinking vapor lock, or maybe the air cleaner is messing with the choke...any ideas?

Timing is about 10deg inital and the engine runs about 195 temp.

5 weeks till Reno, so I want to sort this! (and I have a hub cap that keeps falling off....)**)

Cheers all

g

Verify that it's not a choke problem (choke set too tight), If that's good set the floats a little lower (the carb could be heat soaking).

Black smoke usually means too much fuel. Vapor lock would be fuel starvation. I agree with Mike P's guess.

i've never seen a 65 mercury with a 352,sure it's not a 390??? any way i would put a heat shield between the intake and the carb.instalate the fuel line and install a cool can.all of these can be home made out of common materials you can find around the house.

i would set the timing at 6,and install a 180 trermstat

Thanks for the replies guys. I agree, too much fuel is boiling into the intake. Top of the carb was a little wet when I looked at her too. Will set the float a little lower and see if that helps.

Its a 352, (Mercury Meteor Canada only model). Never going to win Indy with this car, but it is a fantastic cruiser with the family!

make sure the vacuum choke pull off is working correctly

Update
checked the choke and all was well. I lowered the float a little and that seems to have done the trick. May adjust just a wee bit more, but she starts up now. Thanks for all replies.