My 1985 formula 242 ls with twin sb/alpha 1 needs a steering actuator and a pair of power steering lines. Seems theres a few diffrent part numbers available, and I cant find any matching numbers on the old actuator. Any thoughts on finding the correct part?

Ayuh,.... The steerin' actuators are virtually all the same,....

Sometime, well after yer's was new, Merc went to quick-connect fittin's on the actuator, 'n lines,...

Connection points on the transom, 'n cable are unchanged,....

You can retro-fit a brand new model if you'd like, quite easily,....

I believe his will have the Saganaw actuator (4 long bolts on outside) the newer are Brazilian. They are interchangeable, but, the hose fittings ARE different. There were some posts a while back about Summitt selling hose adaptors. If you need a Saganaw actuator I believe I have one. Not pretty but functional. Let me know. Good Luck