MC1 Gimbal with Alpha Gen 1

[JonNmtJuliet]

I'm working the mechanicals of this mess of a 1978 webbcraft boat. Over the years its had a lot of hands on it and not in a good way. but it appears that they have replaced the drive to an alpha 1 but still has the mc1 gimbal on it. I've spent the last couple days breaking it down to do a complete rebuild and the top gimbal steering pin needs to be replaced. My question is the one that took 2 hours to get out has splines and I can't find a replacement all I see is the gen 2 out there. Will the gen 2 fit with a new control arm or is the bearings different size?

I have this boat torn down to the hull so I can upgrade if I should. I still have to put a power plant in it. I was hoping to find a donor boat but haven't found one yet...

 

[Scott06]

Alpha gen one will fit a mc1 transom assembly so that is a common maintenance swap out over the years.
Im not sure if they swap put if you google mercruiser 32582 you’ll find some used steering pins.
your best bet if you can find a rotten boat sitting in someone’s yard is to get a complete pulley to prop tear out . 83 and up (gen one) uses a different engine rear mount spacing than your MC1 and flywheels change to 14” in 91 or so. bottom line if you can get it all in one piece that will save up getting nickel dimed to death on small parts.

 

[JonNmtJuliet]

thanks. I've missed a few after the past couple months but I'll keep looking. I don't think that part is what I'm looking for. Here is what I took out.

 

[Bt Doctur]

all you need to do is change to a "square-square" pin and steering arm
I have one if interested, measure your OD in the seal area to confirm and post it

 

[JonNmtJuliet]

Thanks. Looks like they had the option of either the spline or square not sure why. I did measure the OD and the best I could tell its 1". so now I just need to get a new pin and a square steering arm.

 

[Bondo]

Thanks. Looks like they had the option of either the spline or square not sure why. I did measure the OD and the best I could tell its 1". so now I just need to get a new pin and a square steering arm.

Ayuh,.... The spline preceded the square shaft design,.......

 

[JonNmtJuliet]

well I got my pin in today and it doesn't fit. comparing the old and the new the new pin is just a bit larger and the seal that came with it doesn't fit either. I'm guessing I have the mc1 bell housing is why.

 

[JonNmtJuliet]

Just to circle back and close this tread off I did have to go back and use the splined pin because I have a MC1 bell housing. However, all is well. I have it back together and ready to go back on the boat once I'm ready for it. Thanks for the help.