Automotive? I decided to change a few parts on my 10 year old motor, and pulled the cap off, it had steel terminals that were completely covered in a calcium like crust. But the terminals were all steel, where the quicksilver replacement ($60 ouch) was of course brass.
I am the second owner, but can tell from the paint the part was original to the engine. So would mercruiser use a auto cap there?

10 years old and never changed the cap and rotor? and it still ran? Check the date code on the wires also...

The oe cap would be aluminum terminals..a cap off of a 1994 chevy 7.4 liter with tbi injection will fit,if you get a cap in standard ignition which are blue and have brass terminals for the wires..make sure you use dielectric on all the terminals

I AGREE

I'm sure the wires are that old also. They still seem fine, and no misses. I will change them at the end of the season, it looks like a pita, and it is going in the water for a few weeks.
Thanks, I will get some dielectric grease on the fittings~!
The aluminum definitely corroded a bit. I assume the brass is better, why didn't Mercruiser swap that out?

Normally I would not stick auto parts on a boat. But I really see NO difference (except 1/3 of the price) between the two. The quicksilver part has no gaskets, seals, etc, to preclude sparks. Hmmmm. Next time....