VP Tilt/Trim Relays

[AList233]

I am in the process of cleaning up the motor bay on my '84 24 Express that has the VP 280 DP/PT drive. This drive does not utilize the tilt motor, just twin cylinders for tilt and trim.

Unfortunately while servicing the trim pump, both the hydraulic lines at the bottom of the pump were so corroded they broke off. So I went ahead and pulled the pump to access the fittings.

Both the relays are in pretty bad shape and it looks like they are nothing more than Ford starter solenoids. I am looking to replace them while everything is apart.

Will a standard 12V starter solenoid work?

 

[muc]

The relays need to have both normally open and normally closed contacts. Also need to be ignition protected so they don't blow the boat up. Not sure if Ford starter relays meet those specs. But the ones they sell at your dealer and here on Iboats do.

 

[dennis461]

The original ones are slightly smaller. Those relays all look alike until you measure them. Most automotive relays do not fit.

 

[Scott Danforth]

The marine solenoid are SAE J1171 compliant so you dont go Boom. Ford starter relays are not compliant

 

[AList233]

Thanks for the replies. I did end up finding a Mercruiser solenoid that cross referenced to the VP solenoid.

I didn't consider the marine application with the potential explosion risk. Thanks for the heads-up.