Starcraft super sport steering shaft taper

[ShoestringMariner]

I bought a more modern steering wheel for my 1975 Starcraft super sport. It does not fit as deeply on the taper as the old one. This leaves only a third of The shaft threads exposed. Whoever on this boat before totally bastardized the threads somehow. It’s still had the original wheel so I have No idea why the threads are so mashed.

In any case, are there different tapers when it comes to steering shafts? I would like to replace the wheel but I need a better fit. I couldn’t even tighten the nut up because the first three or four threads are stripped .

Of course now I’m thinking about replacing the steering entirely.

Suggestions? Time for upgrades?

 

[PartsVu]

Given the time and effort (expense) of getting a machine shop involved to either repair the threads or re-profile the shaft, I would think the steering upgrade would be the best bang for the buck.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Thanks. I just picked up some new nuts. I’m going to try and put the old wheel back on. If the nut wont hold I’ll tack weld it on. I suppose that my next upgrade is total replacement

 

[PartsVu]

Yep -- getting some clamp with the nut and then tacking should work. You can also put some red loctite on it if you don't mind total destruction for disassembly later.

 

[Watermann]

A helm replacement is one of the best upgrades you can do, the SeaStar NFB 4.2 is the rotary helm I recommend. http://www.seastarsolutions.com/prod...tary-steering/

The steering shaft is a standard size and I wouldn't want to cobble together something as important as steering, it would always bother me that it fail when you least expect it.

 

[ShoestringMariner]

Yep -- getting some clamp with the nut and then tacking should work. You can also put some red loctite on it if you don't mind total destruction for disassembly later.

That’s what I did. It’s a total gut job this winter

 

[ShoestringMariner]

A helm replacement is one of the best upgrades you can do, the SeaStar NFB 4.2 is the rotary helm I recommend. http://www.seastarsolutions.com/prod...tary-steering/

The steering shaft is a standard size and I wouldn't want to cobble together something as important as steering, it would always bother me that it fail when you least expect it.

Thanks, I don’t like Idea of that either but I had to go fishing this week! I’m being careful with it. Does this particular model work with a SS160?

 

[Watermann]

You just have to order the right length of steering cable for your boat is all and it will replace what you have now. The only issue that you may have is getting the motor end of the steering cable out and then back in as the distance between the tilt tube and the splashwell is not usually enough for the steering ram to clear. The remedy is simple if it's an issue, unbolt the motor and lift it off.