Northwest Fishing Reports

I was given a 1976 15ft Fiberform. The boat itself is in great condition but I need to do a little repair on the motor. It is a Merc 650 65hp 3 cylinder outboard. I am in need of a distributor cap. Part number 393-4606A2. Like the one pictured. I'm hoping someone on this forum has one lying around or knows where I can get one. The ones I have found on-line are $270+. I did find a used one on Ebay for $100 and another for $150. Hoping that I can get one a bit cheaper.

Sure it needs replacing? With prices like those, I can't believe they changed too often.......

Bodofish wrote:Sure it needs replacing? With prices like those, I can't believe they changed too often.......

Yup, it's missing. The previous owner took it off because it was cracked and threw it away.

I may be able to help source the part, but need to confirm year of engine, engine serial number would be most helpful.

GoingtoFish wrote:

Bodofish wrote:Sure it needs replacing? With prices like those, I can't believe they changed too often.......

Yup, it's missing. The previous owner took it off because it was cracked and threw it away.

Ouch! All can say is old Merc's had some crazy ignition schemes back then. I was able to find some used ones around a C note but most are a buck fifty on up to MSRP of $387.XX. Sweet spot seems to be right around $220. Unfortunately even going to a cdi won't get you away from the "Cap". Grit your teeth hard and click the add to cart or buy it now. Lets all hope they last along time. I've tuned up a lot of old Merc's and I if memory servers I've never changed a cap. Lots of plug wires and plugs. That motor probably has a Mag in front of the cap.

Maybe Hewes can find one....... I saw an awful lot of them and no one is giving them away.......

hewesfisher wrote:I may be able to help source the part, but need to confirm year of engine, engine serial number would be most helpful.

I'll look up the serial number when I get home from work.

That a hard one to find if availability is there. Used to have a pile of them from stripped motors in the past and haven't needed one for years. I'll check my bosses stash. Also be aware that those motors were notorious for burning the center cylinder up because it only has two carbs. There was a reason why they dropped that design after a few years because of a lean condition. Make sure to do a compression test!

Eric the boat guy wrote:That a hard one to find if availability is there. Used to have a pile of them from stripped motors in the past and haven't needed one for years. I'll check my bosses stash. Also be aware that those motors were notorious for burning the center cylinder up because it only has two carbs. There was a reason why they dropped that design after a few years because of a lean condition. Make sure to do a compression test!

Thanks for the info!

GoingtoFish wrote:

hewesfisher wrote:I may be able to help source the part, but need to confirm year of engine, engine serial number would be most helpful.

I'll look up the serial number when I get home from work.

Finally got the serial # (I think) 345-6352

Will see what I can do...

hewesfisher wrote:Will see what I can do...

Thanks Hewesfisher!

From my source, and based on the information you provided, these are current inventories of the distributor cap you need:

Quantity Dealership City State Phone Number Last Updated
1 BOATERS WORLD MAR CT LAKE PLACID FL 863-465-6669 07/27/2016
1 KEZAR LAKE MARINA LOVELL ME 207-925-3000 07/06/2016
1 VIKING MARINE SPRUCE MI 989-727-2797 06/06/2016
1 BURT GOODNOUGHS MAR SANDY CREEK NY 315-387-5894 06/04/2016
2 DANDY HAVEN MARINA HAMPTON VA 757-851-1573 04/18/2016
1 STANDER MARINE INC LELAND MI 231-256-9231 04/08/2016
1 POWERHOUSE MARINE LA CROSSE WI 608-784-9580 04/06/2016
1 FAYS MARINA LA PORTE IN 866-491-1126 12/20/2015
1 PIPERS MARINE INC TAMPA FL 813-886-0967 11/19/2015

1 BILLS OB MOTOR SERV HINGHAM MA 781-749-1303 03/31/2015
1 MARITA SEA & SKI ANCHORAGE AK 907-337-2744 03/23/2015
1 GOLDSBOROUGHS OB MAR CRISFIELD MD 410-968-0852 02/02/2015
1 BRYANS MARINE VIDALIA LA 318-336-9009 11/01/2013
1 DONS MARINE CENTER WATERBURY CT 203-754-7128 06/06/2013
2 MARINELAND OF WACO WACO TX 254-662-0676 12/03/2012
1 CLARK BOAT & MOTOR EAST ALTON IL 618-259-8712 08/23/2012
3 US BOAT WORKS INC KANSAS CITY KS 913-342-0011 03/28/2011

Best I can do to help. Wouldn't trust any source not updated this year, but who knows, might be a forgotten dusty box sitting on a shelf in a back room. Good luck!

Thanks again Hewesfisher! I'll look into some of these and see what I can find.

Have you checked with some of the used outboard guys around? Its been a few years, but here are some I used to deal with.

Hollywood boat parts in Tacoma 253-475-9246

Jacks Used outboards - Puyallup maybe? 253-474-0607

There were at least two others that I know went out of business. You might try googling used outboards or parts and see what pops up.