Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

[Johny25]

Well I am new here. Have been reading a lot of threads from iboats and finally decided to join

So I bought a 25hp 1988 electric start long shaft last week at a good price. Been looking for one for a while. And among other mods I am going to do to it I decided to move the tiller handle in toward the center of the motor. This will keep the handle from being so close to my seat and keep it from going behind my seat when making a right turn. Here are some pics of what I got done tonight before having to make my boys dinner.

Here is my new toy

So I plan on moving in about 4 or 5 inches to the 2 bolt holes in the lifting handle just to the right of the electric start cables. I am going to make a new hole in the front for the throttle cable to go through. I also think the cables will twist easier due to the straight shot to the linkage.

So I took the starter, solenoid, throttle assembly and tiller off tonight. And next is to make a custom bracket for the tiller and cut the hole through the front of the lower housing.

Has anyone done this before? Any tips or advice is appreciated

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

Are you running this motor sitting on the port/Left side of the boat?

 

[Johny25]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

Yes I am. I do not like operating from the starboard/right side. My boat is also already custom fitted to operate from the port side but that is for another thread probably. I also am conjuring up a way to make the shift lever easier to access.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

it would easier to change your seating to the starboard side if I where You. Just My .02.
You will be opening a can of worms doing all that work on that motor, if at all possible.
There is a reason why all tillers are mounted that way, from the day of conception.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

Outboards are made to be driven from the starboard side. That's why the shift handle is where it is so you're not reaching around. I can't imagine trying to dock when sitting on the port side... I concur with the others - move the seat and leave the motor alone...

 

[jasper60103]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

Congrats on the new motor. I have a similar one, 30hp '88. How does she run? Be sure to use 50:1 fuel mix. Good luck.

 

[Johny25]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

I appreciate the thought of just moving the seating to operate from starboard but that is not going to happen. I have always operated outboards from the port side and have my boat set up for that also. I am not just a weekend boater and can land any boat in any weather from portside. It may be some work, but nothing I can't handle. I can't afford a new E-tec with the tiller and shifter in the middle like I wanted this year so I am going to make it myself. I made the post assuming others have wanted to do this and have done so? By putting the tiller in the middle (or close to it) will make it easier to operate from either side. And like I believe I mentioned earlier I am going to make the shift lever reachable and easier to shift from the front of the motor also.

She runs great actually Jasper. Yeah I am familiar with Johnsons and fuel mix ratio. I actually run a 65:1 a lot of times and will run a 45:1 the last outing of the year to lube the internal parts before winter storage. I plan on getting a 30hp carb from ebay or finding someone who is parting out there 30hp to get those extra 5hp you have. I will port the intake myself. Even thinking on boaring the carb and jets myself to match the 30hp?

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

I believe there was a bolt-on tiller kit that mounted to the carry handle in the front. Also incorporated the shift handle. Would certainly simplify your installation - for a lot less than an E-Tec and without hacking up your existing tiller and linkages.

By chinewalker at 2012-02-09

 

[Johny25]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

Hey thanks for that pic Chinewalker. I wonder what year that motor in the pic is? That is exactly what I am going to do to mine. If I was to use that adapter I would have to lengthen the throttle cable anyway because I don't have enough cable to put it in front of the carry handle as the pic shows. My tiller was set back behind the carry handle about 2 inches. I am going to mount mine on top of the carry handle but that pic is a great reference of what I am going to do. Thanks for the pic Chine. I will make all my own brackets though.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

I think that motor was a '92 or '93. Pretty much the same motor as your '88. The adapter on the '92 was a kit that included the shift bits, throttle cable, etc.

I think if you go to shop2.evinrude.com and then to the parts link, then look up the 1992 Johnson 30hp, model E30TEENR, then the section for Steering and Shift Handle, you should get a diagram and parts listing for the kit I had...

 

[Johny25]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

Thanks again Chinewalker. I think I may buy the shift lever for $12 bucks but the rest is outrageously priced compared to what I can make it for at cost in my shop. I mean $67 for a shift rod that I can make for under $5 bucks...... Wow. The link did give me some new ideas though so it is much appreciated.

 

[Johny25]

Re: Moving tiller handle on my 1988 25HP

UPDATE:
Upon further investigation tonight I found out that I don't have enough throw or adjustment in the cable to get the handle around the front of the motor. So unless I buy a longer throttle cable it is just not going to work on this model johnson So I am just going to live with it the way it is for this year or sell this one for a profit and get a newer style like Chine has. But I am still going to make the shifter come out the front which is not that hard to do.