1974 Mercury 850 torque steering

[smauie]

Does anyone know how to change the angle on the anode? My anode is only a couple months old so I know its not rusted on. I need to change the angle to trim my steering but the thing won't budge went i put vise grips on it. I read in other posts about some vent covers that hide a bolt that you turn to change the angle but it was unclear if this was for my engine or not. If so, where is this vent cover? Many Thanks!

[merc850]

There is a bolt inside the hole in the lower unit above the trim tab that is either a 5/16" Allen head or a 12pt head. You have to loosen this before you can turn the TT and I would advise taking the bolt all the way out then greasing the threads when replacing it. You have to remove TT to get to one of the LU bolts.

[smauie]

Thank you. I see the 12pt head. Now what kind of tool do I need to loosen it? I've never seen a bolt of that design before. Any ideas?

[merc850]

You need a 12 point socket with thin walls to fit thru the hole. Check Sears etc.

[Moody Blue]

7/16" 12-point, 3/8" drive socket on an extension will do the trick.

[smauie]

Yes, that did it. There wasn't much play in rotating that anode, so I was told to try a longer fin..which I have and grinded a spot out so the prop doesn't hit. Next week I will get to try it out and see if it really helped correct my tracking. Thanks so much!

[Moody Blue]

Once you back off that bolt 4-5 turns, the anode should drop slightly allowing it to rotate to any desired position.

Contrary to what you might think, you rotate the rear of the anode fin in the direction that is hard to steer.