throttle cable adjustment

stang 72 hope your out there. Tried adjusting just before going in to gear, now it just dies. I must be doing something wrong. When I adjusted it in neutral, Iadjusted it so it didn't move throttle linkage until right when it engaged. So now with the lever right before it hits the detent, the cable still hasn't moved to adjust ball and socket. Do I need to do my adjusting in the morse control? Please help, I'm in a near panic, it's a 3 day weekend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I reread the original post...and yes a vacuum leak could be present as raises he-- with setting idle...check the carb the spacer gasket and spacer to intake...I know you did spray some carb cleaner and it did not rev up. I have found leaks by blowing cigar smoke in suspect areas...it will suck right in. Also..check the pc valve..shake it..it should rattle...and check the pcv line connections for leaks.
If no leaks...back to the adustments carb and trottle linkage(which I think it is that simple).
This is a$$uming the timing is correct.

Throttle cable can get stiff as it gets old(or binding)...this can be checked by moving the linkage by hand if the rpms are high when you return the control to nuetral...means it's sticking.

Ive gone through these sugestions from stang72 and my same problems still exhist. The pcv valve still shakes,and can't detect any vacuum leeks between it and the back of the manifold. As far as any other leaks there is a little around the bore of the throttle shaft, but seems to be very minor and equal in all four corners. I'm a$$uming this is normal beens there are no seals or gaskets. Is this wrong? The timing I had set at 6 btc at one point as recomended in my owners handbook, but is currently at 9 btc as I have read on these posts as being better. The throttle cable moves freely with no binding by hand when disconnected from the morse control. TimD's suggestion of numerous holes on linkage is also a great idea but I never removed the ball off of it when I did the rebuild. A freind of mine that worked at the nautique dealership says he remembers hearing about internal vacuum leaks that were fairly common on the 4160"s he said the throttle body's can warp between the metering block and this can result. Has anybody else had any experience with that? Thanks again Guy's!!!!!!!!                  

Tim D thats whats in it but ive had the bowls off numerous times for adjustments, could they be worn out already? Ive heard sometimes you have to take a piece of gla$$ and sandpaper to flatten them back out. Have you heard of or had any experience with that. Don't really want to be sanding on the metering block or throttle body if that isn't the problem. Thanks Randy!!!!!!!!

Did the flow bench elliminate a lot of tuning adjustments when you put it back on the boat?

The flow bench can help, but I was trying to fix the wrong part at first. It showed nothing was wrong with the carb. When the cap cracked, it first ran like the powervalve had gone bad.

Felpro...right Jim