1976 mecruiser 302 188 hp no fuel pump will it still start ?

Question

i bought a head ake from ebay after i found the right timing order and new plugs wires coil battery i tryed to start and nothen but back fire the timing is on but the fuel pump went out so i took the gas line off the pump and just put in into a gas can to see if it would run but nothen but backfire does the pressure from the pump have anything to do with it or could i run it for a couple sec just to see if this boat will run what can i do to see if it will run without the fuel pump hooked up

Answer 1

In this case you can use gravity to get fuel to the carb.  I suspect you need to recheck the timing and firing order. Pull the cap and check the rotation, then follow each wire to the plug. You can rig something for cooling water.  Good Luck!