Gimble housing question.

[bernieb]

My boat is an 82'mercruiser 350 v8 and the gimble housing needs replaced and I have found a replacement but it's off of a 88' 3.0 four cylinder.Will it work? and besides that a couple of years back I had a new upper half installed at the dealer and he said it's of the alpha line (flat on top). thanks for your knowledge.

 

[loadnet]

Re: Gimble housing question.

I think YES, however 'wait' for the Pros who are in the KNOW to post the specs to be sure.<br /><br />I installed a 86 gimbal housing on a 1976 Searay recently outfitted with a pre-alpha (NOT FLAT on Top) outdrive.<br /><br />Works beautiful..

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gimble housing question.

You're venturing into a gray area of the mixing + matching of the Merc. outdrives......<br />Yes, It CAN work....<br />When you switched from the Mod.1 upper(w/the lifting eye), to the Alpha1 upper, you Probably had the shorter input(8"s+) shaft out of the Mod.1 installed on the Alpha1....<br />You'll Probably need to use the Complete Outer Transom Assembley to make this work... You May Also need to use the longer Alpha1 input(9"s+) shaft....<br />I'm Not Positive, But I Don't think you can use the Alpha1 Gimbal Housing in a Mod.1 Transom Shield......<br />Either Way, Be Sure of your Input Shaft... The Shorter one Will Work, But Only a Very Short Time.... It'll engage the coupler splines about 1/2 of what is Required,+ Will Strip the Splines.... The Flip-side is,If the Input Shaft is too Long, It'll Push on the coupler,+ Destroy the engine Main Bearings.....<br /><br />Best of Luck......

 

[bernieb]

Re: Gimble housing question.

Okay bondo ,I know what your saying and I think I'm allright on the shaft length .I was also concerned about the hp. difference.Thanks for your willingness to help a stranger.any more comments will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Gimble housing question.

"I was also concerned about the hp. difference." <br /><br />NO Difference......

 

[robandrews]

Re: Gimble housing question.

I have been advised that I am in need of a new gimbal also. I have a 1979 Sea Ray SRV 200 with a 188 hp 302 ci Merc. <br /><br />They tell me that I can get the thing replaced with a new gimbal for $1000 or a used for about $400. Should I look for a Alpha and not stay with the original equipment?