'72 85HP Chrysler Tilt Trim to Transom Mount alignment problem.

[adamjr]

I started a new thread on this one since the problem is different.

I have a tilt/trim from a 1974 75HP I am retrofitting to my 1972 85HP. I got the motor and valve body back together and the reservoir is bolted to the transom. I did this while the bottom mount bolt was just through the port side transom bracket and the tilt assist shock. I could not get the starboard side of the trim ram body positioned to get the mount bolt all the way through. So I pulled the bolt out and put it through the starboard side but now the port side won't line up. It turns out that there needs to be about 3/16" to about a 1/4" more room.

Here is the question: Do I have to use a piece of aluminum angle or U channel to go the entire height of the transom bracket or can I just remove the lower bolts and use stainless fender washers to give me the space? If I want to take the bolts completely out I will have to pull the fuel tank because the nut inside the transom is behind it and I don't have the space to get a wrench and my fat hand behind it.

I was thinking I could take a piece of aluminum angle and notch it to make way for the bolt and then push it between the bracket and transom while loosening the bolts one side at a time which hopefully will keep enough tension on the nut that I don't have to pull the fuel tank.

I'm done for the night and I'm going to have 2 beers which is all I'm allowed otherwise I'll go hypoglycemic. I'm alone tonight so that's a no-no.

Thoughts?

 

[RRitt]

Re: '72 85HP Chrysler Tilt Trim to Transom Mount alignment problem.

the trim system between those two engines is identical. If there is a difference in the way they fit your engines then one or more of the engines is out of whack. IMO, whatever fix you use needs to be crafted around finding and fixing the problem with the engine instead of adapting the trim.

 

[adamjr]

Re: '72 85HP Chrysler Tilt Trim to Transom Mount alignment problem.

It wasn't the trim I was going to modify. I was going to shim the transom bracket itself.

That said I was out there with my flash light looking at it and scratching my head as well as slapping at the mosquitos trying to carry me away. While I was staring at the transom brackets the starboard bracket looks poorly alligned. Unlike the beefy brackets my 125 rude has where it is bolted down in 3 places on each bracket the 85 Chrysler only bolts on at the bottom and the top is secured with the clamp.

When I get home from work I'm going to tap the clamps with a hammer to loosen them a little as well as giving the bolts a 1/4 turn ccw to see if I can get a better alignment.

Does this sound like a reasonable explanation as to why it wouldn't line up? Also I got the invoice. I had some unexpected non-boat issues come up last week so I was a little short on green. I'll take care of it by Friday at the latest. Hopefully sooner.

 

[RRitt]

Re: '72 85HP Chrysler Tilt Trim to Transom Mount alignment problem.

maybe somebody ran a bolt through the trailering bracket and tightened it down? If not it still sounds like something is messed up with your brackets. The combination of the swivel bracket and pivot bolt should make the unit quite rigid. It was not Chryslers way to impress people with bulk. They engineered things to work as simply and reliably as possible using the least amount of proprietary parts. It is a very '60's Detroit mentality. The emphasis was to deliver an affodable and reliable machine to the average family with 2.3 children. If you try to understand it from the perspective of racing and performance then the engine will never make sense to you. It was designed for affordable reliability. The brackets assembly including swivel and pivot bolt are typically more than adequate. I think you should focus on understanding why they got out of alignment so that you can prevent it from coming back.

 

[adamjr]

Re: '72 85HP Chrysler Tilt Trim to Transom Mount alignment problem.

It's not that I was looking at it from a standpoint of racing or performance. I was looking at comparing 2 motors from 1972, 1 Evinrude and my Chrysler. I do agree wholeheartedly with what you are saying as far as being built to be simple and trouble free. From my limited tinkering on the Chrysler I prefer it to the 'Rude for it's simplicity.

That said, and backing up the simplicity I pulled the gass tank which was fairl simple since it's close to empty right now. I loosened the nuts on the inside of the transom about a half inch. I loosened the transom top clamps just enough that there was a slight bit of play. I used a flat blade under both the port and starboard bracket to give myself an 1/8 to 3/16 clearance on both. I only had to use the screw drivers because the weight of the motor seemed to force the brackets a little more askew. I put a 2X4 on my floor jack and under the trim ram and set at the correct height. Prior to putting the tilt/trim anywhere near the boat I lubed the heck out of where the bolt would go through it. I put a little lube on the bolt and it went through about half way. I gave it the slightest tap and it found its' way all the way through to the starboard side and up against the transom bracket. I adjusted the jack a little and slid the bolt the rest of the way through by pushing it with my little finger. I pulled the screwdrivers out and everything was flush against the transom.

I tightened the lower trim bolt nuts first. Then the lower transom bracket bolts, then the upper transom clamps. Everything sits flush and looks to be square, unlike when I was looking at it last night.

Here is the best part: I put fluid in the reservoir, hit the switch and up the rams went. I bolted the assist shock and tilt cylinder up to the motor, pulled the catch, and it stayed up. I hit the down switch topped off the reservoir and put it up and down a few times and then back up to the top about 4 hours ago and it's still there, right where I left it.

All in all not a bad trade for a 40 year old belt sander and a $50.00 circular saw.

 

[RRitt]

Re: '72 85HP Chrysler Tilt Trim to Transom Mount alignment problem.

sounds like a really good deal.

there is a carriage bolt on the top front of your engine that goes all the way across and through both transom clamps. On the end should be a 1/2" fine thread locknut with nylon insert. Make sure it is secure ... I don't know the torque settings but the general idea is that it does not pull the clamps together but completely eliminates any slop or play. If you over tighten then the engine does not tilt easily.

I mention this because if your brackets were visibly askew then either the bolt got bent just a little or it had a little more play than it should have.

 

[adamjr]

Re: '72 85HP Chrysler Tilt Trim to Transom Mount alignment problem.

Cool. Thanks for the tip. I still am going to pick up a seal kit to have on hand. Nothing lasts forever. I also intend on picking up another tilt/trim unit on ebay when I see a rebuildable core at a good price. I've had some steep expenses and I've unfortunately let 3 get away for less then $100.00. I also saw a NOS tilt ram assy go for only $125 or so. Bad time not to have extra cash but that is life.

 

[RRitt]

Re: '72 85HP Chrysler Tilt Trim to Transom Mount alignment problem.

if you are going to rebuild it then look for the 1991-1993 trim system with Eaton pump. It is the best revision out of them all. But be careful to avoid the version that mounted pump beneath waterline. That's just all messed up ... what kind of idiot designs a trim system with the electric motor underwater? But that is a relatively unusual version. Most of them mount the pump about halfway up the transom bracket. If confued look at the tubing. The end of the tubes needs to be higher than the middle of the trim housing. Mercury did not follow Eaton's instructions and used ATF instead of hydraulic oil. The combination of pressure, age, and atf causes orings to split. So when you buy the '91-'93 Eaton you are going to need a rebuild or you're sitting on a time bomb. Once properly rebuilt and filled with proper fuild it is the best system I've ever seen on any motor ever made by mercury.

 

[adamjr]

Re: '72 85HP Chrysler Tilt Trim to Transom Mount alignment problem.

First I want to say "thank you RRitt" on behalf of myself and everyone else you've given so much help to on these forums. It is a pleasure to see someone sharing the knowledge they have acquired through a lot of experience.

Is the pump you're speaking of the one in this link http://home.comcast.net/~netsvc/Items/MF_P2E.htm ?

If so does that one bolt up to the older style transom brackets or do you have to mount it remotely? Does using that pump with the older style trim and tilt ram setup like what I have require bending new lines? I have a double flaring tool and it was an incredibly good investment.