I have a '78 model Pre Alpha drive (MR?), I cannot locate a legible number on it anywhere.
It has the splined/splined steering pin, and threaded hinged pins with the trim/limit sensors covering them (not the pressed in type pins), and from my research I see that jives with the year model.
My gimble ring is worn out (steering and vertical play) so it obviously needs to be replaced. As I understand it, the alpha I Gen I rings use a square/splined steering pin. So my question is; can I use an alpha I gen I gimble ring with the square/splined shaft to replace my old splined/splined setup and NOT run into any other conflicts or dimensional issues in the process?
To further clarify, I do not want to pull the motor, or replace the gimble housing. I have already gotten the drive off and it's disassembled down to the gimble housing now. Not wanting to go any deeper than that if at all possible. I did find the gimble bearing was installed backwards, so I've changed that and its seal already. The bearing looked very new, which supported the seller's assertion that it had been replaced before I bought it last year. I guess they didn't know it could go in backwards, nor did they understand the importance of engine alignment or the shift interrupter switch. Lucky for the boat, they only had it out once before I bought it, and I did so knowing I'd have to fix some of their obviously hack/mechanic work, so I got a good deal on the boat, I think. But I digress.
Anyway, I'm down to having to buy the gimble ring now, and thought I'd see if upgrading to the square/splined steering pin would be an option instead of putting another splined/splined setup on it?
Thanks for any replies/advice.
It has the splined/splined steering pin, and threaded hinged pins with the trim/limit sensors covering them (not the pressed in type pins), and from my research I see that jives with the year model.
My gimble ring is worn out (steering and vertical play) so it obviously needs to be replaced. As I understand it, the alpha I Gen I rings use a square/splined steering pin. So my question is; can I use an alpha I gen I gimble ring with the square/splined shaft to replace my old splined/splined setup and NOT run into any other conflicts or dimensional issues in the process?
To further clarify, I do not want to pull the motor, or replace the gimble housing. I have already gotten the drive off and it's disassembled down to the gimble housing now. Not wanting to go any deeper than that if at all possible. I did find the gimble bearing was installed backwards, so I've changed that and its seal already. The bearing looked very new, which supported the seller's assertion that it had been replaced before I bought it last year. I guess they didn't know it could go in backwards, nor did they understand the importance of engine alignment or the shift interrupter switch. Lucky for the boat, they only had it out once before I bought it, and I did so knowing I'd have to fix some of their obviously hack/mechanic work, so I got a good deal on the boat, I think. But I digress.
Anyway, I'm down to having to buy the gimble ring now, and thought I'd see if upgrading to the square/splined steering pin would be an option instead of putting another splined/splined setup on it?
Thanks for any replies/advice.