88301 88301S Mercruiser Pre Alpha Gimble Ring | Genuine Used Part

🔧 Product Description

Genuine MerCruiser Pre-Alpha Gimbal Ring - Part Number: 88301 / 88301S

A genuine used MerCruiser gimbal ring for pre-Alpha transom assemblies.

The ring supports the sterndrive between its upper and lower steering pivots and allows both steering movement and trim / tilt articulation. The 88301S identification is associated with this early ring family.

⚙️ Key Features

• Genuine Mercury MerCruiser OEM pre-Alpha gimbal ring
• Original references 88301 and 88301S
• Used with the early square / splined steering-shaft arrangement
• Supports sterndrive steering and trim movement
• Applicable to 1970s and early-1980s transom assemblies

🚤 Compatibility

Commonly used on

• MerCruiser pre-Alpha transom assemblies
• Early MC-I and related sterndrive steering systems

Typically suits

• Engine models:
• MerCruiser pre-Alpha 120HP and 140HP inline-four installations
• MerCruiser pre-Alpha 165HP inline-six installations
• MerCruiser pre-Alpha 228HP, 260HP and 898 V8 installations
• MerCruiser 470 and 485 four-cylinder installations using the early gimbal-ring system
• HP Range: Engine-family controlled
• Engine Type: MerCruiser pre-Alpha sterndrive transom system
• Year Range: Approximately 1976 - 1982

🔌 Function

The gimbal ring carries the sterndrive and transfers steering movement from the upper shaft while allowing the drive to trim and tilt on its hinge pins.

⚠️ Common Signs of Failure

• Upper steering connection is worn
• Hinge-pin bores have excess play
• Ring is cracked or heavily corroded
• Drive moves from side to side independently of the steering lever
• Trim movement binds at the pivots

🔄 Supersession & Cross Reference

OEM Supersession Chain

• 88301 / 88301S early OEM gimbal-ring references
• 88302A1 related later complete early-style gimbal-ring assembly

OEM / Related Numbers

• 88301
• 88301S
• 88302A1 related gimbal-ring assembly
• 88302A2 related square / splined upper shaft
• Pre-Alpha gimbal ring

Aftermarket / Verified Equivalents

• No aftermarket equivalent

📦 Condition

• Genuine used part
• Removed from running engine where applicable
• In good working condition unless otherwise stated