Motor serial number is 2353637. My manual says 'ignition type III'. Yet, when I look at the procedures, it is clearly 'ignition type II' and matches the pictures for type II.
Part number on distributor is 333-3144. Typically used on Mercury 500's of same era.
Is my book wrong or has my motor been Frankensteined?
Im not sure what you got going on there but 333-3144 is for a Mercury 50 Hp. 500 Lightning Energizer Distributor Housing .Your serial number does show 1968 650.You should have a distributor that looks like this (first Pic)
Ahhh. That would likely explain why it's near impossible to tune and sync properly. It does start and run, but lacks power and idles rough. Someone got creative!
Thanks, I'll see if I can source the correct distributor.
I found a good deal on two 'parts' motors. One is a 1966 Merc 650, the other a 1969 merc 650.
The 1969 has the same ignition setup as my 1968. 333-3144 distributor and 333-3213 switch box. So now, I'm thinking that the parts are the correct ones, which is good news. But I'm back to square 1 on the tune and sync.
I can set the carb mixture screws for good idle at about 1.5 turns out from lightly seated. Idles well, but bogs down under load. If I set it too rich, I have power, but it idles rough.
I have an abundance of parts now, so I'll try using all the best ones and report back...