Wilcox Crittenden steering wheel?

[floatingwoody2006]

Hey there.. At the recycle center i found a decrepid old Skip Jack with a Wilcox Crittenden cable type steering system in it. Thought it would look great in my 1957 arkansas traveller tinny. It needs new cables, and i cant seem to figure out if the center cap just pop's off, or is threaded..It's all aluminum, and definately vintage. Any advice would be great.. Thanks/

 

[18WCmerc]

Re: Wilcox Crittenden steering wheel?

post some pics....I heart classy steering wheels/systems!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Wilcox Crittenden steering wheel?

The cap should pop off. Try prying with a real thin blade flat screwdriver. Its pobably stuck after all those years. If you end up scratching it you can sand / polish it to look like new.

 

[floatingwoody2006]

Re: Wilcox Crittenden steering wheel?

That's what i thought. I put a pretty good dig in it trying to pry it up though..It is round with 2 of the sides being flat. Looked like a pair of vice grips should turn it, but im digging it up trying to do so. Oh well.. Ill pry it off, and hope for the best. At least i don't have much into it.. thanks.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Wilcox Crittenden steering wheel?

I would not use it.


safety reasons

 

[JimS123]

Re: Wilcox Crittenden steering wheel?

I would not use it.


safety reasons

He's talking about putting a 1957 part on a 1957 boat. If it's rebuilt per original specs it'll be just as safe as it was way back then.....which is quite safe.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Wilcox Crittenden steering wheel?

I understand what he is doing. I love old stuff also. I have a yard, dock,garage,attic and outbuilding full of it. I remember some horror stories when the pulley systems bound up or gave way. The boats would turn 90 deg. in a split second. Yes I have installed them. I know how to get the twist out of the cable and to preload so they work better.

I rebuilt my old mustang but did not think twice about scrapping the drum brakes.