merccruiser steering

[hobbystock98]

i have an 87 rebkin with a 4.3 l merccruiser. the power steering ram blows fluid out while removing it found a cracked hose so now im looking at about 500 dollors to repair the power steering. My question is can i just scrap the whole powersteering set up? if so i what will i need as far as parts and where can i find them? i dont know for sure that the engine is the what came in the boat or do i know where to find a serial number. the outdrive does say alpha II