Pre Alpha Hinge Pins

[CableGuy1978]

Hello folks,

I am currently in the process of replacing my bellows and gimbal bearing. My outdrive is Pre Aplha and I did not have to use the special hinge pin tool to remove the bell housing. Mine has the pins or nails rather than go through hinge pin as I am sure many of you are quite aware. When I was disassembling my bell housing, I was a bit put off that the "pins" that were used by whoever worked on this unit before were actually steel finishing nails, and were a bit of a task to remove as they had rusted up a fair bit. So I am now looking for replacement pins for reassembly after bellows are replaced.

Does anyone know where I could find some? Is there a decent substitute for the real thing? I would imagine they would need to be made of aluminum or stainless steel at least. I was thinking of a cotter pin or something like that..

Any direction is of course, always appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read through.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Pre Alpha Hinge Pins

I wish I could help you, I just went through the same thing. I ordered a set of pins from and on line Mercruiser parts source, waited three weeks for them to arrive.,part # 17-77039 and low and behold what is in the bag four stainless steel ring nails that are to big a diameter to fit the hole, and the cost me $28.00.
I ended up using 3/32 steel welding rod cut to length. I then heated one end red hot and taped it with a hammer to form a head, coated them with a real tacky water proof grease and installed them. I am only in fresh water, so they should last a few years.
Glen

 

[dubs283]

Re: Pre Alpha Hinge Pins

yep, the part is a nail, funny but true

you can use whatever you want but be sure its aluminum, stainless will break when you bend the end

 

[Dthompson]

Re: Pre Alpha Hinge Pins

Can I get some information on how to remove the pins. Do you just drive them out. I a a rookie learning.
Thanks
Dave

 

[Bondo]

Re: Pre Alpha Hinge Pins

Can I get some information on how to remove the pins. Do you just drive them out.

Ayuh,... That's how it's done...

 

[ziggy]

Re: Pre Alpha Hinge Pins

the nail bisects the hinge pin.
the nail exits on the fore side of the gimble ring by a little bit. 1/4'', 1/8''. just a little. it is bent into a small slot on the fore side of the gimble ring.
unbend the nail and push it back out the aft side of the gimble ring. once ya get it started out, the nail head will help extract it..

then use a slam hammer with a 1/4-28 (i think, from memory) screw thread to extract the hinge pin.

 

[captk]

Re: Pre Alpha Hinge Pins

I think Merc changed the diameter of the retaining pin at some time. You had to replace the hinge pin and drill out the gimbal ring. Part #17-77361A1 is a new pin with "nail". I did use shift cable core wire one time when i could not get the right part and it worked, good luck Bill

 

[eldplanko]

Re: Pre Alpha Hinge Pins

I used a stainless steel cotter pin, opened up, and then bent at both ends once through the hole