I HAVE AN 86 COBALT WITH A 5.7 LITER AND P/S AND THE ENG TRIM TAB - TAB BROKE OFF. CAN I JUST GO WITH IT OR WILL EFFECT SOMETHING. THE PLACES WHERE I LIVE SAY YOU DONT NEED THE TAB PART OF IT----- ANY ANSWERS ARE APPRECIATED.
Splat:<br /><br />Regardless whether the boat handles ok or not, i.e. no torque steer, the Zinc or Magnesium fin is part of your corrosion protection. I would replace it.
The tab won't do a whole lot, just helps to counteract prop torque. You can screw the plate back on if you want, but like Mike said it's part of the corrosion protection.
My 1991 bluewater has a zinc with trim tab on the out drive(alpha), but my new glastron doesn't(also alpha). It just has the round zinc with no fin hanging off. I can't tell any handling difference. I would go to the dealer and ask them. A new zinc is only like ten bucks at westmarine.
