power steering conversion?

1

1ArmBandit

Seaman
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Jun 17, 2012
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73
hi all, i have a 1975 sea ray srv 190, it has a merc 351w in it(not sure what year, stern drive s/n #4516491, engine s/n #4475146..cant seem to find any info on these numbers and would love to know the year and such if anyone knows), and its hooked up to a merc 888 outdrive....steering is a real pain, and i want to be able to crack the throttle to pull up skiers and jump on plane and not have to worry about having to fight the steering wheel, its even pretty hard to steer once im at cruising speed.....

so, has anyone ever put power steering in a setup like mine? what all would i need for this conversion if so.. also, how good is plain hydraulic steering? i'd imagine it would be a little cheaper to install, but, is it going to let me go WOT without having to use all i got to correct any steering correction i may have to make...

btw, my steering system is cable at the moment and when out of the water turns easily
 
superbenk

superbenk

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Oct 27, 2008
Messages
2,033
Re: power steering conversion?

Is it just one direction in particular that it's hard to steer in? I know both the trim of the outdrive and the adjustment of the small fin on the cavitation plate just behind the prop can make a pretty huge difference in how the steering responds. Have you checked either of those items?
 
1

1ArmBandit

Seaman
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Jun 17, 2012
Messages
73
Re: power steering conversion?

are there any complete hydrualic kits out there for an I/O? i cant seem to find 1..look to all be for outboards?..
 
1

1ArmBandit

Seaman
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
73
Re: power steering conversion?

superbenk said:
Is it just one direction in particular that it's hard to steer in? I know both the trim of the outdrive and the adjustment of the small fin on the cavitation plate just behind the prop can make a pretty huge difference in how the steering responds. Have you checked either of those items?
Click to expand...

yes i have adjusted that tab, its hard to steer for me in either direction all the time unless the engine is off(or im in neutral)...only having 1 arm to steer makes it EXTRA hard...i really have to wrench on the wheel
 
1

1ArmBandit

Seaman
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
73
Re: power steering conversion?

id like to be able to take my hand off the wheel and go WOT without the boat drifting to the left or right and i want to be able to swing tubers and skiers around from left to right easily..the way it is right now i try not to make any unnecessary turns because it is so tough..
 
1

1ArmBandit

Seaman
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Jun 17, 2012
Messages
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Re: power steering conversion?

can someone at least tell me where i can find information on the engine and stern drive numbers???:confused:
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: power steering conversion?

1ArmBandit said:
id like to be able to take my hand off the wheel and go WOT without the boat drifting to the left or right and i want to be able to swing tubers and skiers around from left to right easily..the way it is right now i try not to make any unnecessary turns because it is so tough..
Click to expand...

Ayuh,... Change out the cable, 'n helm as a kit, for a Teliflex "No Feed Back" helm...
 
H

haulnazz15

Captain
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Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: power steering conversion?

Are you sure you have the drive trimmed up far enough? I have roughly the same setup and have no issue letting go of the wheel when moving and steering world smoothly in both directions. The only difference I notice over the power steering-equipped vessels is the amount of effort it takes to move the steering wheel.
 
1

1ArmBandit

Seaman
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
73
Re: power steering conversion?

Bond-o said:
Ayuh,... Change out the cable, 'n helm as a kit, for a Teliflex "No Feed Back" helm...
Click to expand...

i was looking at the NFB helms, but that wouldnt take care of the tough steering, would it? and if i needed to change the cable wouldnt it be hard to steer under zero throttle too..?
 
1

1ArmBandit

Seaman
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
73
Re: power steering conversion?

haulnazz15 said:
Are you sure you have the drive trimmed up far enough? I have roughly the same setup and have no issue letting go of the wheel when moving and steering world smoothly in both directions. The only difference I notice over the power steering-equipped vessels is the amount of effort it takes to move the steering wheel.
Click to expand...

doesnt matter how far up or down trim is...unless im in nuetral or the motor is off its pretty tough to steer
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Messages
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Re: power steering conversion?

1ArmBandit said:
that looks like what i need, and looks pretty straight forward and easy to install....hey bond-o, do they make NFB helms for hydrualic systems?
Click to expand...

Ayuh,.... True Hyd. systems are NFB, by their very nature....
 
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