I've read a lot of posts about no spark, but how about a "how to troubleshoot for dummies" version?<br /><br />I have a Mercury 800/ 80hp 4cyl. Age is late 60's to maybe 70... color is all black w/blue stripes if that helps, Thunderbolt ignition. Don't have the Ser#, it's sitting behind a friend's barn. It ran like a champ, we stopped to fish a little, and couldn't get it to start again. Took it to a repair place, they had it a year, replaced the wiring that goes from the key to the motor with some used wiring that looked worse than the original. Replaced the plugs, ( they said they replaced the points, but being a rookie at this, I don't even know how to check that) re wired the stator (said it was wired backwards, but it ran like that for years), put on a used power pack (?). Some other stuff too, (I think). I went to pick it up, and it ran when I got there. I took it home, put it in the water. It ran for about 5 minutes, stopped, and then had no spark again. I called the repair shop, and the owner said he would give me back the money for labor, but I still paid several hundred dollars and still don't have a boat that runs. He now refuses to work on "old" engines, because they're nothing but trouble. It's been sitting for over a year, and I want to get it back in the water. Where do I start? Please be specific, you won't insult my intelligence. I haven't done much more than change plugs.<br /><br />Thanks
