hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

[russellackland]

The hinge pin on my bell housing to gimbal ring is badly worn! I have a 1976 888 mercruiser engine, freshwater cooling (saltwater use.) Looking at the parts on microfiche for that model, mercruiser doesn't show a replacement part for the hinge pin bushing (in the gimbal ring)! The parts guy said I have to buy a new gimbal ring ($500)! My SELOC mercruiser manual says that I can remove the old gimbal ring bushings (with a puller.) The manual then references installing new bushings! Anybody taken that gimbal ring apart and seen removable bushings? Where to get replacement bushings? I see that I can purchase a new hinge pin (threaded type) for about $17.00, however I believe that is useless without new bushings to go along with it. But a new gimbal ring for a 25 year old motor..............i'll just put up with the noise when turning.

 

[Bondo]

Re: hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

Hi Rus, it's cheaper,+ easier to swap out the whole gimbal ass. on the old mod.1s...they can be found on ebay + the like for MUCH less than the cost of the ring....

 

[russellackland]

Re: hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

Thanks. Started search, but need some more info. What is included in swapping out the entire gimbal assembly? Gimbal housing, ring and bell housing? Thanks.

 

[PSS-Mag]

Re: hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

I need more info too, getting new gimbal housing with new gimbal ring and gimbal maybe cheaper for me as well.....

I have a 1976 888 and I got rearened by a friend saturday on our way to the lake. Long story short, busted ring around lower pin and bent the upper pin. We are trying, to fix everything with out insurance.
I can get a new ring and gimbal (assuming thats correct term, round thing all the bellows attach to then the drive bolt to.) at a near by marine salvage yard faily cheap. I just found the busted Gimbal (if thats right) so dont know how much that is yet, but the gimbal ring I priced from there for $100.

But I cant figure out how to get the bottom pin out much less the bent top pin, then where to find a new top pin which would be logical to also replace bushings too.

 

[qaztwo]

Re: hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

If your talking about what I think your talking about its simply a machined piece of round stock that slides into the gimbal ring and drive. It is held in place by a small nail. Remove the nail and screw in a bolt and pull.

 

[qaztwo]

Re: hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

I ment to say that a machine shop could do it for under 50. make the new one larger.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

I need more info too, getting new gimbal housing with new gimbal ring and gimbal maybe cheaper for me as well.....

I have a 1976 888 and I got rearened by a friend saturday on our way to the lake. Long story short, busted ring around lower pin and bent the upper pin. We are trying, to fix everything with out insurance.
I can get a new ring and gimbal (assuming thats correct term, round thing all the bellows attach to then the drive bolt to.) at a near by marine salvage yard faily cheap. I just found the busted Gimbal (if thats right) so dont know how much that is yet, but the gimbal ring I priced from there for $100.

But I cant figure out how to get the bottom pin out much less the bent top pin, then where to find a new top pin which would be logical to also replace bushings too.

The hinge pins can be knocked inwards for removal.....

The bottom pin is held in place with a ss cotter pin located at 3-9 o' clock position on one one of the two rings, (i fergit which one)......
To remove the gimbal ring at the top, you must remove the Allen headed bolt.....
It sounds easy, but to remove the gimbal ring without damaging either the ring or the transom shield is nearly impossible.....
Also the upper pin is not bent!
More likely it is either the ring or the transom shield that is damaged.......
When you see the size of the pin, you will see why it is not bent.....
There is an Allen plug in the bottom center of the pin that aids in keeping things tight as well....
That may need to be removed as well....
If you can't get any of these fasteners loose or damage the ring or transom shield, it is all over & you will need to replace the whole assembly.....
So, that is my solution, replace the transom shield, the gimbal ring, & the bell housing as a complete assembly.......
Unfortunately, it will require the engine to be removed....
Since you will need to change the bellows, I reccomend that you get the hinge pin keeper pins on the new assy free before you install it.....
You may also want to do the modification for the shift cable at this time.....
Make sure that the steering arm/gimbal ring connection is tight on the new assy. or you will need to deal with that as well......
Hope this helps & Good Luck!.......​

 

[Bondo]

Re: hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

June 16th, 2002, 08:30 PM
russellackland
Cadet

This thread is 5,..... That's Five Years Old..............

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

This thread is 5,..... That's Five Years Old..............

Bondo, I didn't notice that!.......
Your advice has withstood the test of time!

 

[Bondo]

Re: hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

Bondo, I didn't notice that!.......
Your advice has withstood the test of time!

Ayuh,............ Thanks Haut,.....

And,....... As Usual,......

You define,+ expound to a more Understandable explaination of the Same Idea.............


Btw,......... I only Noticed because I didn't Remember the post,........

Too Bad that the Post Count doesn't list the # of the individual posts like it used too........
I Bet that the 1 of mine up top is probably #ed in the 1st Hundred or so of My 12,000+............

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: hinge pin worn on bell housing 1976' 888 mercruiser

bondo and haut; i found the need to bring it out shake the dust off and read again.