Gimbal Ring swap

orttauq

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 27, 2022
Messages
77
I have a 1976 American Eagle with what shows to be the 888 outdrive (has 888 decal S/N 4228535) but with a 351W. Everything I have found the 888 is only on the 302 so that's confusing but on to my question:
Can the Gimbal Ring be swapped for a new style that has the trim senders? My boat has the trim sender cylinder that no long works; parts hard to find and honestly it just seems too complicated.
What else has to be changed? Maybe just the Bell Housing and not the Gimbal Housing?
Thanks
 

kenny nunez

Captain
Joined
Jun 20, 2017
Messages
3,462
The gimbal housings are different. They are wider to clear the “ear muffs” mounted on the gimbal ring.
 

orttauq

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 27, 2022
Messages
77
The gimbal housings are different. They are wider to clear the “ear muffs” mounted on the gimbal ring.
Thanks! So if I get the right Gimbal Housing to go with the new ring with 'muffs' will it bolt to the inner transom plate? Basically can I change everything on the outside of the boat and leave everything inside as is?
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,310
Thanks! So if I get the right Gimbal Housing to go with the new ring with 'muffs' will it bolt to the inner transom plate? Basically can I change everything on the outside of the boat and leave everything inside as is?
Ayuh,..... I haven't done it, so can't say for sure, but I'm thinkin' the y-pipe connection might be an issue,.....

'n as for the inner plate marryin' up to an Alpha 1, there could be a stud spacin' issue, as the 6 studs moved sometime durin' the run of the MC-1s, which yer drive is,....
 

orttauq

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Aug 27, 2022
Messages
77
Thanks all for your replies...guess I will focus on getting what I have sorted.
 
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