1984 90hp starts, but quits unless I push the choke

[1000lakes]

Background. A piston failed on my 1984 90hp Johnson outboard, 2 years ago. Before that, 2 1/2 years ago I rebuilt the carburetors and it ran ok until the piston failed. 5-6 years before that I had the oil line break to the VRO and the engine seized twice. Now I found a 1984 Evinrude 115 hp that was in a boat fire, not due to the engine. I put that power unit in my motor and now it starts but won't stay running unless I keep pushing the choke. Another thing I didn't do, when I removed the carburetors a 1 1/2 years ago, I didn't dump the fuel out of them.
My question is, is this a timing issue or do I need to clean and/or rebuild the carburetors again or just what is my problem? Also, I am working from Clymer shop manual, is there a better low cost manual?

[john89]

I would say a carb. problem...I have a 1989 90 and it was doing the same thing, start and run as long as i puch the choke but die as soon as I let off the choke.I pulled the drain plug from the side of the carb. an it was empty...float was stuck. went ahead an tore both carbs apart an put in new parts..........