1997 70HP Johnson outboard trouble.

[NewEnglandLegend]

Engine was running great until today. It start right up, idles great and rev's fine but when I'm in gear and try to go over 4000 RPM, it start to surge.
I checked for water in fuel, all fuel connections are tight, the vro pump is new last fall, the ignition coils are in spec. New plugs last fall, but checked and the top one was nice but the bottom 2 were a little oily and brown. The only thing I haven't checked is the timing. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

[ChampioNman]

Check the roller on the center carb and see if the clear plastic tube in over the black roller. Also make sure it is touching the cam follower. Verify wide open throttle operation of the carb plates with out starting the motor.

[NewEnglandLegend]

I checked all that and averything where they should be. I cleaned the plugs and regapped them. I will take it for test drive and have someone with me squeeze the fuel bulb while driving, if the problem goes away, then there's a fuel restriction or leak somewhere.

[ChampioNman]

There you go.