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Pre alpha gimbal

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Derrick b

New member
I have a 1975 formula boat, ford 302 pre alpha drive. My gimbal is shot, dose any know if i could put a alpha gen 1 gimbal ring on keeping my pre alpha drive?
 
I assume your splines are worn/corroded out. Not uncommon. Your trim senders are at 3:00 & 9:00 on the ring?

To answer your question, IDK. Alpha gen1 maybe, gen2 NO, different bellows. Your 1975 should use the bellows with a "ridge" (vs early 70s & before without "ridge") & the same ridge bellows was used thru Alpha gen1. The drive mounting studs are spaced the same from 1967 and newer.
Later gimbal rings used non-greaseable nylon bushings & pins.
Some had upper shaft with square/square design and some used a square/spline design.
I think physically they are the same size but the bearings/seals/bushings hardware may be a puzzle that won't work.
If you can make it work, you'll need the tiller arm too.
 
There are two types available. Need a lot more info to identify. Serial # could help. Pictures would help. An accurate description including proper parts names would also be a big help

Newer style Gimbal RING appear on the parts/year page for your drive. These use a 12 point hinge pin. (special tool required)
Older style Gimbal RING uses a hinge pin and a "nail" pin to hold it in place.
We do not know which you have????

The two types may or may not be interchangeable and if they are additional parts may be required

Need a lot more info to understand whats needed.
 
kghost said:
There are two types available. Need a lot more info to identify. Serial # could help. Pictures would help. An accurate description including proper parts names would also be a big help

Newer style Gimbal RING appear on the parts/year page for your drive. These use a 12 point hinge pin. (special tool required)
Older style Gimbal RING uses a hinge pin and a "nail" pin to hold it in place.
We do not know which you have????

The two types may or may not be interchangeable and if they are additional parts may be required

Need a lot more info to understand whats needed.
Click to expand...
Here are some pics of what i have, the drive is missing its # i see a stamped one but dont know if thats just a casting#
 

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Ok, so early nail type hinge pins.
No you CANNOT retro-fit an Alpha gimbal ring. You will need the earlier design, used from maybe '67 to about '74/early '75.
Where are you at? I may have a good one laying around if you are desperate.
 
I'll look around tomorrow & let you know.

That 4228199 should be the serial number of the drive. It's located in the rectangular hollow (recessed area where Mercruiser decal was once located) just below the 2nd nut in the last picture?
 
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