1977 Evinrude 85 - PT&T Part Question

[OldOMC31]

1977 Evinrude 85 - 85799S

Leaking out of top wiper. Replaced all orings with OMC Oring Kit #0174520.

Bobbin wire for trim gauge was a nest of unwound wire. Removed wire, sending unit spring/bb & copper ground contacts (attached photo).

Put it back together and filled/bled system. Seems to be working flawlessly. I left out push on ring (Part #36) as I couldn't think of any reason for this part to be in there/what purpose it would serve. The OD of the ring is quite a bit smaller than the ID of the trim cylinder tube. The sending unit bobbin wire was tangled around this ring. Untangled and left the push-on ring out when I rebuilt.

Now I am second guessing leaving this push-on ring (#36) out of the cylinder. Is there any reason to put this push-on ring back in there? Is this just to catch the wire if/when it seperates?

 

[OldOMC31]

Trim Cylinder. Does anyone have any experience with these old style tilt/trim units, the ones with the cylinders outside of the mounting bracket? Or have any idea the purpose of this push-on ring in the trim cylinder (Part #36)?

Seems what I have here is the last year of this style T&T unit (at least for the V4) prior to switching to the more modern T&T setup (1978 and on). I have no interest in trying to get the parts to make the trim gauge work again. (i.e. good used carrier piston with bobbin wire intact and a sending unit kit).

 

[OldOMC31]

Anyone?