you beat me to it; i thought they went B1 in 88? my '89 is a B1.

He called it alpha, he probably meant bravo. He got the boat from a co worker that had all of the work done. The other shiny you see there is the exhaust. The owner said it dumps there and on the sides.

I believe they only put Alphas in SBC and 1987 BBC 330 HP (Badged as 454 Mag)

Probably just a grammatical error on his part. What is the purpose of the stainless gimble ring?

Better check on Alpha/Bravo drive question. You will tear up that drive if Alpha. Not hard to switch but expensive and engine must come out.
Why in the world would someone dump hot exhaust on the top cap of the outdrive while everybody is putting showers on them to cool the outdrive. If it is an 1989 Bravo it is also a pre oiler and does not need heat added. JMHO.
The stainless Gimble is stronger and will not wallow out the pin area. Better/stronger/more stable steering.

i'm assuming so it doesn't get hogged out again at the clamp. mine is coming off this winter to be built back up and machined.

my first thought as well.

and if you get the boat and hate the bolsters, i have the exact same color pedestals and respective carpet in my '89 to trade, lol..

That makes sense. I was kind of wondering the same on why the exhaust fires at rhe outdrive. I just talked to the guy that built the engine and outdrive. It is a bravo. He said he found nothing wrong with it when they tore it down. Just went ahead and put new bearings in because the owner had the engine out being re done and wanted it all gone through. He also said the gimble ring was an addition he put on because he had it and figured it was a good time to put it on. The seller has the original to go with it as well.

I know it is a love hate relationship with bolsters lol I doubt I will hate them. I will be making gulf runs in this rig and I bet 3 and 4 footers would not be fun without them .

I see it has the Silent Thunder Platform. I'm guessing while most people drill holes in the bottom of the platform to relieve pressure and evacuate water on plane, this was a "trick" alternative. My guess is most exhaust will exit here (on top of drive) underway, path of least resistance. If it become an issue with heat or fouling paint on drive easily fixable by using thru-transom blocking plates to cover these holes. No harm-no foul. Great looking Boat, again good luck.