convert manual pump trim to power?

[superwooter]

i have a '78 thunderbolt 700 with a manual pump hydraulic trim. most people i mention this to or show it to either have no idea what i'm talking about or have a nostalgic moment and say something like, "wow! haven't seen one of those in years!" from what i understand, this particular make/model was only made for a couple of years at the end of the 1970's. the label on the side says Dole Fluid Power Products.

the pump has developed a fluid leak where the hand pump pivots and i'm afraid i won't be able to find replacement parts. i'd like to replace the manual pump with a power pump if its feasible. all of the hydraulics are in place so i wonder if a power pump motor could just be added to the existing setup. if not, i'd be interested in hearing some alternative solutions you may have to offer.

i'll take a few pics this evening after work and post them tonight or in the morning for reference.

 

[superwooter]

Re: convert manual pump trim to power?

it was raining this evening so i didn't get the pics. weather is supposed to be nicer this evening, so hopefully i'll have the pics up tonight or in the morning. any thoughts for in the mean-time?

 

[superwooter]

Re: convert manual pump trim to power?

here's the pics i promised of the manual hydraulic trim pump for my merc...

 

[Faztbullet]

Re: convert manual pump trim to power?

Yep... Had one of those nostalgic moments when I saw your picture. Years ago I saw a fellow with this set-up converted with I think a automobile convertible top pump.

 

[superwooter]

Re: convert manual pump trim to power?

by way of an update, i took the boat to the local hydraulic shop this morning at the recommendation of Tashasdaddy. they said it'd be no problem to fix it. i'll be starting a restoration thread after this is fixed. i've been waiting to redo the deck surface until after this hydraulic pump leak is fixed so that i don't get fluid all over my shiny new floor.

 

[izoomie]

Re: convert manual pump trim to power?

That's the dangdest thing I've ever seen. How well does it work, when it works?

 

[superwooter]

Re: convert manual pump trim to power?

it works quite well, even with the slow leak. i usually do my hole shot with the motor trimmed all the way down and as soon as i get on plane, i jack it up a bit. it pumps while moving the handle both forwards and backwards, so about 6 or 8 quick back-and-forths trims the motor up to cruising level. i have noticed that when the boat is on the trailer and i trim it all the way up, the pump starts to get a little slack in the motion of the handle near the trim-up limit. i'm hoping this is an issue that will be resolved by the repair at the hydraulic shop. we'll see. if not, it's not a huge deal. it functions fully within the normal boating range of motion of the trim. would i rather have an electric power trim? see the title of this thread. am i happy i don't have to pull a pin and manually lift the motor and lock it into place? definitely.

 

[superwooter]

Re: convert manual pump trim to power?

hydraulic shop called this morning. problem solved. i can't wait to get the oily carpet pulled out!

 

[superwooter]

Re: convert manual pump trim to power?

i picked up the boat from the hydraulic shop yesterday morning, and to answer the "how well does it work" question: now that it's fixed, it works better than ever. there is no slack in the motion of the handle anymore. i can't wait to get it out on the water and try it out. it's going to be a few weeks though. we start the resto project this weekend and probably won't finish for a few weeks what with limited time to work on it. i hope to have it in the water somewhere between 3 to 5 weeks from now.

 

[rufusdog]

Re: convert manual pump trim to power?

I would like to the the address or number of the people that rebuilt your pump I have the same set up. I rebuilt both of the lift cylinders but don't know if I want to tackle the pump, although I have a blueprint of the pump I retrieved of the patient page of the Dole Power Product.
dan

 

[Bondo]

Re: convert manual pump trim to power?

I would like to the the address or number of the people that rebuilt your pump I have the same set up. I rebuilt both of the lift cylinders but don't know if I want to tackle the pump, although I have a blueprint of the pump I retrieved of the patient page of the Dole Power Product.
dan

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard Dan,...

Please read the forum rules,... email addresses can't/ shouldn't be posted in the open forums...

I kinda doubt yer gonna get an answer anyways, as superwooter hasn't posted at iboats in nearly a year now...

Post a thread of yer own, about yer problems, instead of dredgin' up these antiques...

Thank you...