I have Mercury 650, 3 cyl, '73, Serial# 3333866.<br /><br />The engine was dead for 10 years, When I got it, I did most usual maintanance, It started nice. When I did a test run, it was working fine for 5 minutes ging full power, then died. I've waited for 5 menutes trying to start it and it started again. 5 minutes later it dies again going from full power to dead. Finally it didn't wanted to start at all. I've parked it for 2 days, and when I got to it trying to troubleshoot it, spark was good. I put in into the water again, and it was good for about 5 minutes, then dead till now. I though it was my fuel system, but checking everything and cleaning fuel system, all the filters didn't do anything. <br /><br />When it died last time in the water, I checked my spark plug and I had only one shot of spark during every time I'm turning the key to crank up the engine. I took out central wire going from the coil to the distributor cap and it had the same thing (one shot every turn of the key, even if I'm cranking for 30 seconds). The spark is at the end of the cranking, right when I let the egnition go. I've been told that it might be the stator. <br /><br />First of all there are only two wires come out of alternator (does it mean that I don't have stator since I have distributor?). Do they exclude each other? My manual shows engines like that. I've checked the circuit on the stator and it is closed,(I assume that the stator is good). If it's not always so, please le me know. <br />Does anybody have any idea what migh be the problem? I would like to check switch box but nobody describes my type, 650 3 cyl. switch box. P/N 332-4796A6<br /><br />I would appreciate any advise.
