Replacing gimbal housing on a Mercruiser 470

[Dadicus]

I have a 1978 Searay with the original Mercruiser 470 engine and outdrive. Here?s the problem: a few weeks ago my gimbal joint broke. Before I could get the engine shut off the broken joint flipped around and broke the little lip on the gimbal housing that the bellows clamps to. I?ve checked, and there?s a kit that will fix the problem with epoxy (to the tune of about $500). But I?d rather replace the housing if possible.

Here?s the part I need help with: My dad has found a housing that looks like it might fit, but it?s from a Mercruiser 140, not a 470. The part is in Florida (I live in Utah) so I can?t visually check it to see if it will fit. So I need to know if the gimbal housing from a Mercruiser 140 will fit a Mercruiser 470.

Here are a few more details: The serial number on my gimbal housing is 5156423. The serial number from the 140 is 6135535. The Mercruiser manual seems to suggest that serial numbers between 4891650 and 6216686 would be interchangeable, but I can?t tell for sure. I don?t plan to use the outdrive, or any other parts from the 140, just the gimbal housing (and maybe the gimbal ring and bell housing if they look better than mine).

Does anyone know if these two parts are interchangeable?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Replacing gimbal housing on a Mercruiser 470

I have a 1978 Searay with the original Mercruiser 470 engine and outdrive. Here’s the problem: a few weeks ago my gimbal joint broke. Before I could get the engine shut off the broken joint flipped around and broke the little lip on the gimbal housing that the bellows clamps to. I’ve checked, and there’s a kit that will fix the problem with epoxy (to the tune of about $500). But I’d rather replace the housing if possible.

Here’s the part I need help with: My dad has found a housing that looks like it might fit, but it’s from a Mercruiser 140, not a 470. The part is in Florida (I live in Utah) so I can’t visually check it to see if it will fit. So I need to know if the gimbal housing from a Mercruiser 140 will fit a Mercruiser 470.

Here are a few more details: The serial number on my gimbal housing is 5156423. The serial number from the 140 is 6135535. The Mercruiser manual seems to suggest that serial numbers between 4891650 and 6216686 would be interchangeable, but I can’t tell for sure. I don’t plan to use the outdrive, or any other parts from the 140, just the gimbal housing (and maybe the gimbal ring and bell housing if they look better than mine).

Does anyone know if these two parts are interchangeable?

Ayuh,... Maybe,... possibly,... probably,... hard to say, for Sure...

I believe the big change along those times was the big top shaft goin' from splined to square,...
Square is better...

 

[Don S]

Re: Replacing gimbal housing on a Mercruiser 470

Also find out how many bolts hold the exhaust tube onto the transom shield. It could be 3 or 4 bolts.

 

[Dadicus]

Re: Replacing gimbal housing on a Mercruiser 470

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll count bolts and have my dad check. I'll post an update when I find out for sure.