Replacing a Power steering ram on a 1984 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 with Alpha One driv

[TampaBoater]

Hello.
I need help replacing the power steering ram on my boat (model on the title)?I bought it and the owner has the part, which he upgraded to a newer style ram. Can anyone point me to any manuals that indicate how to replace this? Is this a very diffcult part to replace?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Les.

P.S. Motor is a GM 305 V8 if it helps.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Replacing a Power steering ram on a 1984 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 with Alpha One

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Techbk/97/97hs5.pdf

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Replacing a Power steering ram on a 1984 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 with Alpha One

http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/6/6A6R3.PDF

 

[mr300z87]

Re: Replacing a Power steering ram on a 1984 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 with Alpha One

I am planning the same upgrade to my 88 5.7L, you will need to replace the hoses as the fitting on the new style ram are different. When I first got my boat I had to remove and replace the steering ram to repair it wish I knew about the new style back then. Finally got it out with after saying a lot of bad words. Removing the exhaust manifold and elbows on the starboard side was necessary gain access to behind the engine. Good luck

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Replacing a Power steering ram on a 1984 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 with Alpha One

Hi, play it smart by disconnecting the ram from the cable first and see if it moves when it's not attached to the cable. Then disconnect the hydraulic lines from the ram and see if it moves that way. The rams are very simple, they just pivot with the power assist to stay at right angles to the steering arm. There's a little valve in the power assist unit that clicks back and forth to tell the assist which way to push. To see all the detail look in Mercruiser manual #6, there's a power steering chapter.
You ought to use flare nut wrenches on the attachment points so you don't round off the flats on them. The big nuts take 27 foot lbs, and the little ones take 104 inch lbs, which is around 9 foot lbs, I think.

 

[TampaBoater]

Re: Replacing a Power steering ram on a 1984 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 with Alpha One

Hi, play it smart by disconnecting the ram from the cable first and see if it moves when it's not attached to the cable. Then disconnect the hydraulic lines from the ram and see if it moves that way. The rams are very simple, they just pivot with the power assist to stay at right angles to the steering arm. There's a little valve in the power assist unit that clicks back and forth to tell the assist which way to push. To see all the detail look in Mercruiser manual #6, there's a power steering chapter.
You ought to use flare nut wrenches on the attachment points so you don't round off the flats on them. The big nuts take 27 foot lbs, and the little ones take 104 inch lbs, which is around 9 foot lbs, I think.

NHGuy…..Actually, the belt is off the power steering pump, and I am able to move the drive left and right, with just a bit of force.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Replacing a Power steering ram on a 1984 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 with Alpha One

So, why the ram? Is it broken or leaking?

 

[TampaBoater]

Re: Replacing a Power steering ram on a 1984 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 with Alpha One

So, why the ram? Is it broken or leaking?

Well, the owner I bought it from said that he had to remove the power steering belt, due to it making the ram steer hard left, because there is a valve or something stuck inside the ram causing the hard steer. I can tur the drive no problem with the ps belt off.

Also, does anyone know the name for that little arm that connects to the throttle at the carb, which regulates how open or closed the air flow flap is? My carb is missing that therefore it stays on the wide open position, and I don't know if this is affecting my fuel mixture ratio, and fuel comsumption.
Thanks.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Replacing a Power steering ram on a 1984 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 with Alpha One

If it is on the flap in the wide almost rectangular opening it's your choke link. You can get any replacement part from Cliff Ruggles at Cliff's High Performance. 740-397-2921. He knows Quadrajets inside out. You can actually run without a choke too, you just have to warm up you motor before you go.

As far as steering left, there are a couple things that can cause it. Both are adjustments. At the bottom of the drive you will find a little skeg. That can cause a steering pull when moving. It can be loosened from above with a hex drive or allen wrench and adjusted to he right.
But if the drive goes to the side whenever the engine is running you will want to check that the fluid is full, and that the steering control valve is centered. The valve is what is on the link that goes from the cable housing to the power assist housing. When you turn the wheel it pushes the cable which pushes the link, which actuates the assist. If it is staying in the middle and the steering still goes to the side you remove a little black dust cover from the starboard end of the power assist unit and adjust the side to side value in there. To remove a port (left) assist, turn the nut counterclockwise til the steering starts to turn to starboard then go back the other way til it stops moving. This is done with the motor running and an assistant to shut it off or hold the steering in case the power assist starts moving parts toward your hand! You only turn it a few degrees to get it correct.
But before getting out your tools just go in there and shove it back and forth a little with the motor off. Lubricate any steering pivots that seem sticky too. Grease is your friend. Maybe a bit of movement will free it if it's stuck to one side.
There's a lot of detail on it in the Alpha 1 power steering section of Manual #6.
I had a fluid leak and rebuilt my assist so I remember what was in there. It sounds more complicated than it is, I just try give the full story.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Replacing a Power steering ram on a 1984 Chris Craft Scorpion 215 with Alpha One

may be a mis-adjusted balance valve ,my second link 6A-7