Mercruiser Manual to Power steering conversion, is it possible?

[rocketboy52]

My 74 Mercruiser 888, pre- alpha unit has the manual steering setup. While trouble shooting a leak, I found that my transom plate was cracked in half.

I have been looking all over for an identical transom plate and haven't been able to locate one. I have however found a ton of transom plates that are set up for power steering Cheap!
http://tinyurl.com/syyxb
I was raised a devout car guy, and you find me here mid-conversion to the boating religion and I must confess I don't know how Power steering is set up on boats. From looking at part diagrams I gather it is similar to a car, but I haven't been able to figure out how the wheel connects to the powersteering piston. Does a teleflex cable connect to the piston similar to a manual steering set up or would I need to buy a new dash/wheel control setup?
Below is my list of what I'm assuming I would need to make the conversion. Am I forgetting anything major or really important? Is there any reason I shouldn't convert over to powersteering?

I would need:
Power Steering pump
Pump bracket for moutning to the motor
Power steering transom plate
Powersteering line cooler
Power steering pistion

[rodbolt]

its very possible to convert it, however hydraulic would be faster and easier.
all the shields I ever saw cracked like that were due to a weak/rotted transome or stringers.
check them carefully.

[rocketboy52]

What all would be needed for a Hydralic steering conversion?

[rocketboy52]

Isn't Power steering the same thing as Hydraulic steering?

[tommays]

I think you will find it real hard to come up with the bits and pieces and cost a LOT of money on and older unit


Tommays

[Don S]

Power steering usually consists of an engine mounted power steering pump, hoses, cooler, and the power steering acturator that your steering cable hooks to.
Hydraulic steering is basically a hydraulic pump with a steering wheel attached to it and a hydraulic cylinder attached to the transom shield where the cable was formerly attached.
Seastar/Teleflex is a very common unit found on boats, and very easy to install.

http://ww2.seastarsteering.com/OVERVIEW/oview.htm