Re: coil on a 1974 mercury 650 with thunderbolt ignition!!!!
I am not certain what coil was on that motor. You can look at the picture on crowleymarine website, and likely tell, if you are interested.
I think the older coil was attached differently, then the replacement coil. The newer coils had three 5/16" bolts, arranged in triangle. How was your bolted on?