650 Mercury 4 cylinder motor

[IADIVER]

Hello all, my name is Keith and this is my first post in this forum, hopefully I don't do anything wrong in posting this. So here goes nothing.

I Inherited a 650 Mercury outboard motor along with Tri-Hull boat and trailer, going try and fix up, maybe use it but most likely sell it, overall in pretty sad shape.
Anyway, trying to figure out this motor, starter is bad cause person before me tore it apart thinking he could rebuild it, it's in pieces and in a box I have never had a starter apart, if all parts are there I'm pretty sure I could put back together again, just not sure it's worth the hassle.
Wiring is another story, almost all covering on wires are cracked or bare in spots, so all new wiring is in order, along with new distributor cap, rotor, wires, plugs etc. Clean carbs, and all that other good stuff, not sure when the last time it was run but it does turn over by hand, going to do compression check long before I do anything.
Would really like to figure out year, if I looked at the chart correctly, it looks to be a 1971 model. Serial number is 3154994.
All my experience with outboards have been Johnson/Evinrude motors, have never owned a Mercury until now. So I'm going to be a newby on Mercury's.
Any input on other things to check would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[racerone]

After you see the price of a new distributor cap and a rotor you may reconsider those 2 items.

 

[Faztbullet]

That is a parts motor.. not worth the time/money as it not worth much if it was running...might bring $400-500 in my area if working

 

[IADIVER]

Hmm, thanks guys, maybe I'll put the 88hp Evinrude on the boat that I have left from another project.
I know it runs quite well.. And then sell the Mercury for parts..I thought about that to begin with, but like I said earlier, don't know much about the old mercs..
Thanks again..

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Cap can probably be cleaned up, not that many wires to replace.

 

[jimmbo]

Serial # points to 1971, like you said. Last year for both the 4 cylinder model, and for the Red Stripes on the cowl. I had a Rotor for that engine in my hand last yr, My Heart stopped when I looked up the price. Fortunately, I guess, it started up again.