1996 mercruiser 7.4 mpi , are their any quick steps in trouble shooting the lack of spark getting to the spark plugs

If it's been sitting awhile might want to start tracing down wires running to/fro your distributor(?), coil or other ignition connectors for corrosion. Usually if it went to bed fine but won't wake up after a long winter's sleep, corrosion at some connection is keeping her down....if in fact there is no spark. otherwise include fuel supply the only other thing other air needed to run.

I believe those had a round plug in type wiring harness with a hose clamp around them. My 1997 502 MPI would back off and look like it was still connected. I'd have to loosen the clamp, shove it back together, and then tighten the hose clamp back. Just a thought.