64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Woody550

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Hi,
This is my first post in probably three years. 17 month old twins tend to take priority in life....
My '64 Westfield Custom has been in the family since new, purchased by my grandfather in '64 at Strohm Marine in the Buffalo NY area. We've been able to keep it in very good shape over the years [new transom and seat re-do recently]. Even still have the TaylorMade cloth top, plastic sidecurtains and rear cloth - though they should really be replaced. The original Homelite was replaced by a Merc 70 in the late 80's.
When that was done, the MFG wheel was removed, disappeared, and an ugly black plastic Merc wheel installed. It has been the bane of my MFG existence since I received the boat in 2000.
I've been trying for years to track down an original steering wheel [white w/ triple shark logo hub] w/o needing to buy a whole parts boat and even trailer attached to it. I've asked many places via forums, salvage yards, etc but have had no luck.
With the twins now seaworthy, the need is once again in the front of my mind. Can anyone help out? Thanks!
 

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Woody550

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Thanks Ed! I will look at them closely. Yes, the Merc has one of the hydraulic steering systems, but the pulleys are still mounted under the gunwales and if I remember correctly the back of the steering column still has the double pulley attached. The power tilt/trim is a luxury I'd like to keep and someday I hate to say "frankenstein" with a Homelite 55 that the boat originally had. If that is even possible. A problem or interesting project for some # of years from now. Keeping the wife and kids happy with a reliable boat is Job #1 for now.
 

pduquette

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Woody , I'll keep my eyes open in my neck of the woods too ..would a similar white tri-spoke sans logo work?? .. BTW Con grats to you and the mrs on the twins !!! peter



Side Q: the Homelite an early 4-stroke or a 2 stroke ??
 

Woody550

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Peter,
I could be interested as a temporary replacement. What do you have or know where to get? Can you send a pic?
The Homelite was the 4-stroke 55 based on the old Crosley auto engine. I don't have my links on this PC, but you can find a couple Homelite websites to get their history. My grandfather was a big fisherman, so the fuel sipping nature and lack of blue smoke was what won him over. Lots of torque too and very reliable.

Cheers
Chris
 

pduquette

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

There is a place near me that has a couple of mfg's and other old floats - I'll check them to see what they have ... I've seen a few classic ad's for the Homelite - makes me chuckle to think it took this long to "catch on" and become the wave of the future ...:D:cool::rolleyes: peter
 

Mark_VTfisherman

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Thanks Ed! I will look at them closely. Yes, the Merc has one of the hydraulic steering systems, but the pulleys are still mounted under the gunwales and if I remember correctly the back of the steering column still has the double pulley attached.

I have a teleflex steering system ("Single Helm" I think) that I installed a number of years ago on my Niagara. I painted the bezel white, and adapted and modified a few things to keep the OEM Niagara steering wheel- so you can have the "looks" without the squeaks and rattling you get from the cable steering. The ease of use on the teleflex is something I would not do without after 12 years with the squeaking, noisy pulleys and cable! I would recommend you do the same.

....The power tilt/trim is a luxury I'd like to keep .... Keeping the wife and kids happy with a reliable boat is Job #1 for now.

I use my boat primarily for fishing. But I do tow a tube and sometimes just run around for my kids. MFGs are great all-around boats.

I have fished on Oneida (NY) and Champlain, as well as a number of other waters here in Vermont. At 14', one might think the Niagara a little small for big water, but Sept 20 we were fishing Salmon in 3-footers+ and it did well. With a following sea while trolling you look back and think the waves will go over the transom but they never do! And that is with two batteries at the transom, two electric Big Jon downriggers, side dry lockers, fuel tank in the bow, and two men aboard, and A BUNCH of tackle.

I sure could use power trim...

What I am saying is that the "modern" motor is probably your best bet on making happy family outings aboard. The custom old Homelite might do you but I would test it well and not skimp on the restore- keep extra parts for ignition, etc., aboard, and if it proves problematic just go back to the Merc.

My two cents...

Congrats and good luck!
 

*EdC*

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Woody
Keep an eye out on eBay. Lots of vintage wheels. A 3/4" center hole will fit most Teleflex systems.:D
 

Mark_VTfisherman

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Just looking this over again. I guess I am thinking about my windshield a lot lately. Your boat looks sweet, and keep that windshield out of the sun- it looks GREAT!
 

Woody550

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Thanks Mark--
It looks great in a small picture :) but has some scratches close up. The bigger issue is the gasket which has failed and the frame which is slightly out of whack. We were lucky with the 'shield as my grandfather had purchased 2 of them for some reason. Many years ago [80's?] the first one was broken some how and the family was able to install this one.luckily.
Chris
 

yanks21

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

My '70 Carefree Pulley steering gave up the ghost last year. Cracked the end off the steering tube. If you do find a vintage wheel, it should fit perfectly over the Teleflex system. I changed mine over to single cable unit and you cant tell from the drivers seat. Original wheel and hub nut cover (with woodgrain sticker) are intact! Even modified the plastic teleflex bezel so my chrome one fits over it.
 

pduquette

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Hi woody. Sorry to keep you waiting but here's the scoop . the guy has 3 steering wheels of a classic style ; 1 plastic three spoke , a plastic two spoke and one on a niagra....I asked about the mfg and he didn't want to pull the mfg apart so I tried to get the 3 spoke. but the plastic was so brittle it began cracking so i left it.. if you get desperate I can give you the guys # if you want to haggle for the mfg one . he seems to want about $600 for each boat / motor / car etc he's selling lol!
 

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Woody550

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Thanks so much Peter for checking things out:D--
Sounds like if the Niagara wheel was cracking then it probably wouldn't be safe. If that's a good assumption then I'll pass on calling on it.
 

pduquette

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Niagra one needed cosmetics - didn't seem bad or broken . The one on the right is the one I broke - all plastic thru n' thru. mfg used better quality unit.
The guy has been trying t sell this for 3 years won't move on pricing . He's got 2 niagra, a edinboro custom and a caprice . The last two are ripped up . I saw an '80's 40hp Johnson w/t+t so i asked on it and I'd have to take the whole B.M T. - for $600. I wouldn't pay that for rusty parts - and he had no idea if the motor would run .
I'll keep looking tho ... peter
 

Woody550

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

I can't justify the whole BMT thing. It seems pretty typical out there. I want the wheel but have to take all the other junk so he/she can get it outta their lot. If it was a decent wheel they'd get decent $$ out of me. Certainly a good % of what they are asking for the BMT combo. Seems like folks would take the $ and run. Obviously not.
Anyone familiar with what looked like a big VT boat junkyard on either Rt4 between NY state line and I91/Lebanon or Rt9 between NY state line and I91/Brattleboro? Going to Maine one year we took one of these routes and I kick myself for not stopping at this junkyard. I can't find it via Google, etc..
 

Mark_VTfisherman

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

...Anyone familiar with what looked like a big VT boat junkyard on either Rt4 between NY state line and I91/Lebanon or Rt9 between NY state line and I91/Brattleboro? Going to Maine one year we took one of these routes and I kick myself for not stopping at this junkyard. I can't find it via Google, etc..

Sounds familiar, but I can't place it in my mind- been a lone while since I have been down that way. But I will ask around and post again if I come up with the place. If I am remembering, it was on Route 9, but not sure. That was years ago.
 

Woody550

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Thanks for putting it in the queue, Mark!

Peter, any chance the fellow at the yard will part with the 3 spoke from the Niagara - by itself? That is the correct wheel. Re-reading your post I'm not sure now if you think that is an option. If it's a 'maybe' please pass along his contact info and I'll give it a shot. Thanks!
 

Woody550

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Reviving this thread as I am still in need of a wheel. One of our local MFG iboaters was good enough to offer me his off his Edinboro but pulling it out of the water this month he got an offer on the boat! Good for you Ross! But now I'm on the lookout again. Any new pointers out there? My Google Alerts continue to come up dry. Any thoughts on the VT junkyard or others?
Thanks
 

*EdC*

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Woody
I PM'd you about one on eBay were you able to get it?
 

Woody550

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Re: 64 Westfield Custom steering wheel?

Crap.
No. I get an iboats summary email once a day [not PMs] and my Ebay alert wasnt set up smartly enough to include Det-Mar. I'll have to correct that and my Google Alerts and keep checking.
I really appreciate the PM and keeping your eyes open!
 
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