steering

[will 1]

How do I find out which steering cable i need for my 175 omc. The boat is a 1978 glassmaster. Any suggestions would be helpfull

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: steering

As they attach to the motor, they're fairly universal. The main determining factor is the make of the system. The main manufacturers are Morse, Teleflex, and Detmar. Each of those manufacturers offer flat rack and rotary helms. Usually there are markings on the sleeve of the cable a few feet from the motor end that show a lot of information. If you're going to replace the cable only, those numbers should lead to a direct replacement. Some cables from back then are no longer available. If that is the case, you have to install a new system. I highly recommend a rotary system if you have the room. You might have to get the next longer cable because they connect closer to the wheel which adds about 6" to what would be needed with a flat rack. But the rotary cables are tons easier to feed from the back to the front. There is no rack attached, just a fully flexible cable. Complete systems are in the $160 range. Sometimes replacement cables are barely less than that and could be higher.<br /><br />First start by identifying the manufacturer of the helm, and if you can still read the numbers on the jacket, that's a big step forward. If it happens to be a Morse, you have to check if it has a square taper steering wheel. If that is the case and you need a new system, then you'll need a new steering wheel as well.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: steering

OOPS! I sould've read your question more carefully. You're referring to an OMC and now I'm assuming you're talking about a sterndrive. If that's the case, take what I said above and throw it all out the window. None of it applies.<br /><br />I recall two different kinds of steering on older OMCs and I don't know the cut-off year. The older style had the cable exit the transom and attach to the drive. I believe that's what you have. Later ones used a gear system operated by a very unique cable having no resemblance to anything else out there. Neither are available in any form anymore.<br /><br />I did use a conventional cable on an older thru-transom once, but they're not sealed all that well. They're designed to stand-up to the elements, but not to be submerged. You might end up going that route, but water will get inside and rust things up in fairly short order.<br /><br />I hope somebody else has a solution for you. Right now I expect JB is reading this over and thinking "This needs to be moved to the Sterndrive heading." You'll hopefully find more responses under the category "MerCruiser, Volvo and OMC I/O". One possibility is to check with older dealers. I worked for a few that had a few leftovers collecting dust, but they were oddball sizes. Good luck.