Mercruiser Manual to Power steering conversion, is it possible?

[rocketboy52]

My 74 Mercruiser 888, pre- alpha unit has the manual steering setup. While trouble shooting a leak, I found that my transom plate was cracked in half.

I have been looking all over for an identical transom plate and haven't been able to locate one. I have however found a ton of transom plates that are set up for power steering Cheap!
http://tinyurl.com/syyxb
I was raised a devout car guy, and you find me here mid-conversion to the boating religion and I must confess I don't know how Power steering is set up on boats. From looking at part diagrams I gather it is similar to a car, but I haven't been able to figure out how the wheel connects to the powersteering piston. Does a teleflex cable connect to the piston similar to a manual steering set up or would I need to buy a new dash/wheel control setup?
Below is my list of what I'm assuming I would need to make the conversion. Am I forgetting anything major or really important? Is there any reason I shouldn't convert over to powersteering?

I would need:
Power Steering pump
Pump bracket for moutning to the motor
Power steering transom plate
Powersteering line cooler
Power steering pistion

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Mercruiser Manual to Power steering conversion, is it possible?

its very possible to convert it, however hydraulic would be faster and easier.
all the shields I ever saw cracked like that were due to a weak/rotted transome or stringers.
check them carefully.

 

[rocketboy52]

Re: Mercruiser Manual to Power steering conversion, is it possible?

What all would be needed for a Hydralic steering conversion?

 

[rocketboy52]

Re: Mercruiser Manual to Power steering conversion, is it possible?

Isn't Power steering the same thing as Hydraulic steering?

 

[tommays]

Re: Mercruiser Manual to Power steering conversion, is it possible?

I think you will find it real hard to come up with the bits and pieces and cost a LOT of money on and older unit


Tommays

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser Manual to Power steering conversion, is it possible?

Power steering usually consists of an engine mounted power steering pump, hoses, cooler, and the power steering acturator that your steering cable hooks to.
Hydraulic steering is basically a hydraulic pump with a steering wheel attached to it and a hydraulic cylinder attached to the transom shield where the cable was formerly attached.
Seastar/Teleflex is a very common unit found on boats, and very easy to install.

http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/OVERVIEW/oview.htm