74 Galaxy Galvy 349 1800 XL - Steering incredibly tight/stiff

[psikys]

Hey folks, just bought my first boat, albeit against the advice of a few people over at The Hull Truth, but I like the boat, I'm good with a project, and I want to use it to learn. I know of a few problems off the bat I want to tackle.

First off, the steering wheel is suuuuuuper stiff/tight. It's a workout to drive the boat right now. I've taken the dash apart, and it looks like it's ran off a wire cable that runs through a red tube to the back of the boat and attaches to a pulley system at the transom.

My question: how do I loosen/lubricate/properly adjust this so the boat doesn't make me end up looking like a body builder? As it stands, my wife cannot drive the boat, and my kids will never get the joy when we're on open water. I can take pics later and post them if needed, just hoping someone here has some answers.

Boat Details:
1974 Galaxy (Galaxie?) Galvy 349 1800 XL
MerCruiser 120 Motor (good condition, no oil leaks, no milky oil, bit of a cold start)
OMC rear end (unsure of exact model, its been painted over, pics attached)

 

[Scott Danforth]

you may need a new steering cable and helm or the drive swivel needs work.

start by disconnecting the steering cable from the drive. if the drive moves easy, then you need a new steering cable and helm. if the drive doesnt move, then you need to rebuild the intermediate housing and associated steering components on the OMG drive

why is your white-leg-of-death held up by a ratchet strap? tilt motor failed?

mercruiser motor on an OMC leg..... you are going to have problems. had you asked about buying it here, we would have agreed with the folks at THT. boating is expensive, and old cobbled together boats along with free boats are the worlds most expensive boats.

 

[psikys]

So, from what I've been able to find, the motor and drive went together. It was the OMC 120 package. Came with that stern drive and the MerCruiser 120 motor. I'm even finding them as a vintage package online.

Again, I was and am aware that it's a project. I got it on the cheap and am going to use it as a learning opportunity. I'll give the stuff you mention a shot to see where the issue may be.

Any chance you could post some links to replacement parts?

 

[Bondo]

the motor and drive went together. It was the OMC 120 package. Came with that stern drive and the MerCruiser 120 motor.

Ayuh,.... As I said in yer other thread, That's False,.....
Never been a OMC drive, with a Mercruiser motor, Ever from the factory,.....

For the problem yer dealin' with here,....
Y need parts, 'n info for a OMC Stringer 400 outdrive,.... probably a '74,.....
'n OMC used some weird steerin' cables,....

 

[psikys]

Thanks Bondo. At least now you've confirmed which outdrive I have. Now to see if it's the cables or the parts on the outdrive.

 

[psikys]

Also, is this not the same motor as the Merc 120? Because from every angle I can see, this looks just like my motor.

 

[psikys]

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I thought the OMC 120 listed above WAS a Merc 120 married to the OMC

 

[Bondo]

Nope, that's an OMC motor bolted to a stringer drive,.....

 

[Lightwin 3]

It's a 2.5L GM engine. Paint is OMC blue. The same basic block could have just as well been painted black.

The differences were in the ancillary stuff bolted to it. Manifolds, electronics, maybe carburetion. etc.

As Bondo said, that's an OMC drive. It was originally White.

 

[psikys]

Now I'm questioning what motor I have lol. I THOUGHT it was a Merc...but it's blue as well.

 

[Lightwin 3]

You have a 100% OMC set up.

If you want to convert to Mercruiser, or Volvo, it can be done but requires a lot of transom and possible stringer work.

The only thing compatible, between the two, is the basic long block. If you're going to make a change, you might as well go to the 3.0L version.

 

[psikys]

I plan on swapping nothing so long as she runs, doesn't sink, and can turn. When that stops, the boat will become a Frankenstein's Monster so to speak. Maybe convert to outboard for fun.

Again, I in no way, ever intend, nor have I ever intended, for this boat to be anything other than a learning lab/money pit. Seller was asking almost $3k, I talked him down more than I ever thought I could have ($1150). I'd LOVE to learn how to seal up and repower a boat. Is that financially feasible? Today? Probably not. I've seen some real redneck engineering ways of doing it, but I want to learn fiberglass. I've been watching a lot of FriscoBoaters stuff on YouTube, so while my hands on is null, I at least understand the concepts. So maybe when **** goes to complete hell, maybe I'll swap out for a 4.3 and leg, or maybe I'll seal the whole damned thing up and throw an older 200 outboard on it. Who knows, I'm an infant to this world. And thanks to all of you again. I've already learned so much.