Frozen steering on '71 Merc 650 with Cabia trihull boat?

[softdown]

Been squirting oil into everything I can around the engine. Found one engine zerk and gave it 20 squirts of marine grease. The engine will not budge a tiny bit.

The boat sat for at least four years I think. 650 starts good and seems fine shifting gears. Steering cables seem stout and fine though it is certainly possible that a little rust found a foothold somewhere.

Hope this is something simple. Like the engine needs to be running......

 

[ThomW]

It could be a number of things. Old grease can become more friction than lubricant and freeze up the steering cable. There could be a kink or bend in the cable that has caused the issue. Did this happen recently? Have you ever been able to turn the motor?

You can always take the steering cable out of the motor. If the motor turns then, its a cable issue. If not, then its inside the motor mount area, the bushings inside there have been known to fail over time. If the engine turns without the cable in place, take a brush or cloth (a shot gun barrel cleaner actually works well) with some PB blaster and clean the sleeve on the motor.that the cable goes in. Then do the same thing on the actual cable end that goes into motor, pulling out, then pushing back in. try and clean it up as best you can and see what happens.

Are they new cables or old? If they are really old, you could have rust somewhere that is not helping your cause. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[gm280]

Until you can remove the steering cable from the engine, you will not know which one is the problem. Both can cause that same problem. If you could remove the engine off the transom, you could try to remove the steering cable from the engine and figure it out. JMHO

 

[GA_Boater]

Just remove one bolt - The one at either end of the steering link. Motor moves - Cable or helm bad. Motor no move - Swivel needs freed.

 

[softdown]

The motor moves freely. Been trying the steering for hours, wheel now broke. Vice Grips work instead.

It seems to be the port side.....where the ~5/8" stainless rod goes through. I was able move it 1/8" and have scores on the stainless to prove that. Did not help any though.

The steering cable moves freely inside of its housing.

Would be pretty tough to remove the 650 Merc by myself. It is not in a garage.

I have used PB Blaster, heat, crowbars, and tapping with large hammer. Don't have great access to it, I could really hammer on it if I did.

I think this may be described as the "bushings inside the motor mount". Not sure though.

 

[softdown]

The problem would seem to be inside of the ~3/4" pipe that also acts as a motor mount. It has an outside diameter of 11"....which renders it difficult to remove. There is about 8" on either side of the motor.

I wonder if a hammering action of an air tool might free it up......or break it down. Getting late for serious outdoor work here...

 

[softdown]

1971 Cabia..............somehow I think this part may be quite difficult to replace.

 

[gm280]

So if I am understanding you now, you disconnected the linkage that goes from the cable end to the motor. And the motor now turns (steers) without any problems. If that is so, then you know the problem is in the steering cable now. And since you stated that there are now marks on the cable, you are going to have to replace that cable without a doubt. So time to get aggressive with the cable. I don't see this working out without removing the engine though. Even installing a new steering cable, the engine has to be moved. Time to rig up an "A" frame of some sort and tackle the engine removal and rip out the steering cable assembly and buy a new setup. JMHO

 

[softdown]

I think the problem has been identified and I lay the problem squarely on Mercury's doorstep. The 11" x 7/8" tube that both holds the steering cable and acts as a motor mount is not made of stainless steel. So corrosion mated the stainless steering cable to the Mercury 650 tube.

I cleaned the tube over a hundred times with a 12 gauge brush, a 16 gauge may be a better fit, and can not remove the abrasive corrosion existing in one side of this Mercury tube. It must be replaced. I don't know the lingo and my manual is still in the mail. I can't find a Mercury replacement tube that is 11" x 7/8". If it isn't made of stainless steel, this problem will likely repeat again and again. Bad play Mercury.

The Mercury tube has four small holes in it. I can only assume this was for oil. What it really did was allow moisture inside of the tube. I suspect that most motors stored outdoors will incur this problem over time. Possibly again and again and again.

 

[jbcurt00]

Eureka, in the early 70s Mercury didint build outboards to last forever, who'd have thunk it.....

Its a 46yr old motor, thats been left outside, presumably uncovered, its going to need some work.

FYI, I also have a 71 Merc 650. It hasnt been run in well over a decade, probably not in well over 2 decades. Its tilt tube isnt perfect either. Currently its still not in service......

Boats and motors were built w an intended service life. Whatever that was, its surely past....

This is simply 1 reason many people (shops too) dont want to work on older stuff. It can become quite a money pit, quickly costing more then its worth on the open market.......

 

[merc850]

Give it up and buy a Suzuki.

 

[GA_Boater]

The name of the part you're looking for is called a Tilt Tube. Quicksilver PN is 8M0041936.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=quicksilver+8M0041936

 

[gm280]

I don't know the condition of your tilt tube, but it would seem a honing type setup that you use for honing wheel cylinders with a rough grit stones could clean it up if it is still usable. But then again, I have not seen any pictures of it inside or out. There are always ways to fix most anything with a little ingenuity. Replacement of the tilt tube is an option if the engine runs well. JMHO

 

[softdown]

I hope folks are enjoying getting philosophical. I'm not convinced that frustrated boat owners can relate to the merriment.

I need a new steering cable and I'd like a new tilt tube. Can I get any good suggestions in that direction? I've been trying myself all day and it is 99.9% frustration. My slight fever is not helping.

 

[softdown]

Well....now it is working as smooth as silk. Too bad about the broken steering wheel. Plastic is not the strongest material.

Surely there is something better than a vice grip? Though vice grip does an admirable job....in a pinch. I could steer with a pinkie now....had I a steering wheel.

Sorry I put everyone through this. It has been miserable for a number of unstated reasons....such as being sick and having multi-state deadlines.

 

[softdown]

For the thousands who will develop similar problems. You will make life easier with a hydraulic floor jack and "air hammer". May also want a couple drinks first.