Sloppy steering

[jiminmontana]

The old '58 Evi with 35 hp has slop in the steering. The downward lever that connects the cables/pullies rotates on a bolt about 20 degrees from right to left when the wheel is turned right or left. Should I weld the steering attachment in place? To just tighten the bolt will likely not fully resolve this issue. Maybe weld a horizontal channel to the vertical linkage which will wrap the handle on the front of the motor where the steering is attached?

 

[F_R]

Re: Sloppy steering

I don't know what downward lever you are speaking of. Doesn't sound like what is supposed to be on there. Be careful tightening that bolt, you may break the steering bracket. The correct attachment is designed so that the bolt can be tightened without breaking the bracket---if all the parts are there and assembled correctly.

 

[jiminmontana]

Re: Sloppy steering

No, F_R, this is definitely a Billy-Bob special I'm talking about. I am putting a photo on my boating blog and you can tell me what you think of it.

http://jiminmontana.wordpress.com/2010/05/19/anns-finboat/

Thanks for your help through the last few months, F_R.

 

[mikesea]

Re: Sloppy steering

Nice rig,the Lonestar didnt come up for me.As for the steering.What should be there is a 'U"shaped clip thing,that has a spring loaded lock pin.Been a while since I saw one.I'll take a peek at Ebay,i know what your looking for,just need to find a pic for ya.Is the lonestar alum.I had a 57ish alum.14 ft ,has a deck over bow and fins like a 57 chevy.I'll check back in.Hopefully I find the piece for ya.Surely there are OLD boat yards with some

 

[mikesea]

Re: Sloppy steering

Found it on ebay.You might find more,so happens these were on page 1 of 57.They guy has 2 listed.The lock pin is long gone,bolts work fine.If you see in the picture,it slides up from bottom the "U" shapes kinda lock on the eng steering bar,secure it with a bolt ,as the guys picture shows.They had a quick release pit that had tabs on each side of the pin ,you then turned it 90 degrees and it licked down,that is why you eng (i vcant see it ,but its probably not just a round hole.Anyway,heres a link to the ebay posting,if you look further ,I wouldnrt be suprised if there isnt an old new one .Post the lonestar .i'll try again.Enjoy the projects.The pullies go to the S hooks on the ebay part

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/50S-...at_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item5adaa7cf3d

 

[jiminmontana]

Re: Sloppy steering

That looks good. Trouble is that there does need to be a lever going downward of the steering handle bar on front of the motor -- the cables will otherwise rub on the fiberglass housing in the rear of the boat. Bet I can weld a vertical bar to that mechanism, though. Thanks!

 

[F_R]

Re: Sloppy steering

Will the motor full tilt with that thing sticking down like that? If it won't it will wipe everything out the first time you hit an underwater object at speed.

The rear corner pulleys and end anchor are supposed to be the same height as the tilt bolt in the motor. That way, the geometry stays the same as the motor tilts.

 

[jiminmontana]

Re: Sloppy steering

I see. That could be a really big deal. The motor tilts, but you do have to turn the motor just a bit to get it to tilt and lock.

Again, your experienced insight has been a big help -- and just might have saved my bacon! And my family's, too. Big thanks, F_R.