Steering Confusion on new-to-me 1976 70 HP Johnson

[eavega]

I have acquired another motor in my eternal quest to own a working motorboat. This time, I am running a 1976 70 HP Johnson. I bought it from a gent who had not run it (he got it as part of a rig he acquired for its trailer), but had the motor inspected by a mechanic who verified it was in good working order and rebuilt the carbs. We started the motor (on muffs, not water-tested), I checked compression (110# on all three cylinders) and spark, so I'm satisfied that all I have to do is mount this new motor on my boat and I am back on the water.
The problem I am having is the steering. When we tried to get the motor off of the old boat, we couldn't get the steering cable/tilt tube off of the motor. There was a retaining nut on the starboard side of the motor tilt bracket holding the steering cable in, and the tilt tube sticking out the port side of the tilt bracket, with a connecting rod going back to the steering arm on the motor. I got the connecting rod and the starboard nut off, thinking that the tilt tube should just slide on out, but no dice. Since the other boat was junk, I basically tore out the steering wheel, and took the motor with the entire steering mechanism intact.

So, my problem here is two-fold:

1. Is that tilt tube supposed to come off? If so, how? I think its stuck, because I would assume that it should move in and out as you turn the steering wheel (which it did not). Any advice on how to get this loosened up?

2. What steering setup am I better off with? My YarCraft has a spashwell-mount connection for holding the steering cable in place, which worked just fine with the 50 HP this boat used to have on it, and I assume it worked just fine with the 65 HP that used to be on this boat. Am I better off leaving that steering setup in place and connect the existing tilt tube directly to the 70 HP's steering arm (same setup), removing the splashwell-mount connector and instead use the existing steering cable through the tilt bracket (assuming it fits)?

Thanks again in advance for any answers or insights you guys can provide.

Oh, and Joe Reeves, if you read this message, can you tell me if you still have the Johnson Service Bulletin #1144 (I think) that pertained to this motor and some kind of problem with the Carburetors? I've seen several references to it when discussing this motor, and I like being preemptive regarding information on any potential problems.

Rgds

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering Confusion on new-to-me 1976 70 HP Johnson

The tilt tube is part of the motor and should not have to be removed. You are supposed to remove the cable from the tilt tube. Now, if it is rusted in there, that is another problem. A BIG problem. Magic penetrating oils, hammer, and cuss words for the guy that never cleaned and lubricated it.

The tilt tube steering is far better than the splash well mount. But of course it takes a longer cable to reach the motor. If you got it, use it.

 

[eavega]

Re: Steering Confusion on new-to-me 1976 70 HP Johnson

Just a bit of clarification. The part I've been calling the "Tilt Tube" is actually called the "output ram" in a youtube video I just saw dealing with installation of a steering cable. That's what seems to be stuck.

-E

 

[F_R]

Re: Steering Confusion on new-to-me 1976 70 HP Johnson

OK, I assume you are talking about the end of the steering cable. It passes THROUGH the tilt tube. That is what I was referring to when I suggested cuss words.

 

[eavega]

Re: Steering Confusion on new-to-me 1976 70 HP Johnson

OK, I assume you are talking about the end of the steering cable. It passes THROUGH the tilt tube. That is what I was referring to when I suggested cuss words.

Cuss words have been used extensively, but the dang thing still won't budge. I undid the steering cable on the other side of the transom bracket, and that moves back and forth but the end of the steering cable is not following. I am patiently hitting it with PB Blaster and tapping with a rubber mallet to see if it lets go. I am trying mightily not to take a hacksaw to the dang thing. Like I said, I already have a steering cable in the boat.

-E

 

[eavega]

Re: Steering Confusion on new-to-me 1976 70 HP Johnson

FR, thank you for the responses. I'm patiently waiting for the penetrating lubricant to do its work, but in the meantime, I just want to explore alternatives.

If the PB Blaster fails to loosen up the end of the cable, is there an alternative way to remove it even if it renders the steering cable unusable? I'm not so sure I am going to replace the steering cable on the boat (The way its run, I would have to do some demolition to get the existing cable out, and I'd rather not do that) and while I'd love to extract the cable intact to keep as a spare, I'd just as soon be done with getting it removed so I can get the motor on the boat and get out on the water. Taking a hacksaw to it doesn't gain me much, as the cable end will remain in the pivot tube which means that if I do want to switch steering at some time I won't be able to without removing and replacing the pivot tube. I guess I could use a set of channel-locks to try and twist it free. Any other suggestions?

Rgds

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Steering Confusion on new-to-me 1976 70 HP Johnson

Rubber hammer probably isn't gonna get it. Try a block of wood and a real hammer. Smack it pretty hard..

 

[eavega]

Re: Steering Confusion on new-to-me 1976 70 HP Johnson

Rubber hammer probably isn't gonna get it. Try a block of wood and a real hammer. Smack it pretty hard..

I didn't want to do that, as I had read on other threads the risk of "Mushrooming" the cable end such that it would not pass back through the pivot tube, hence the rubber mallet. after reading your post, Rick, I thought well if I do deform the end, then I can take a hacksaw to it, but at least it won't be stuck...

HA!

Repeat after me "I will not be afraid to beat up on my motor".

Bock of wood with the 2 Lb sledge, a couple of good whacks, and all done.

I didn't even hurt it.

I've sprayed it all down with the PB Blaster, and worked it in and out, so I am sure that there is no more stickiness.

Thanks for the help, guys.

Rgds

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: Steering Confusion on new-to-me 1976 70 HP Johnson

If you cut the cable then you can forget about being gentle with it and use some real force. Once you get things moving a bit it ought to go easier. You could also try some ViceGrips and some twisting action to try and get it free...

 

[eavega]

Re: Steering Confusion on new-to-me 1976 70 HP Johnson

Thanks to all for the replies. Since I have gotten the cable off of the boat intact, I now have my original steering confusion to contend with. The boat has on it a rotary steering system with a splashwell mount for the cable. What I got off of the motor was a complete rack steering system (minus the steering wheel). Doing the measurements I found on a couple of websites, the cable on this rack steering system is the right size for my boat (stands to reason, since this motor came off of a similar-sized tri-hull). The current steering cable has been run through a space that is filled with about 7 inches of flotation foam which I think I'm gonna have to dig out to get the old cable removed, then find some way to re-secure the new cable.
What is the advantage (if any) of the rack system thru the tilt tube over the splashwell mount cable? As I stated before, the steering that the boat has in place right now was adequate for the 50 HP that was on there before, and I assume the 65 HP that was on there when I purchased the boat (That motor was trashed, so I don't know how it handles with the 65).

I know I've already been told that if I can, switch it out. I just want to know why the rack system is superior.

Thanks in advance for any replies

Rgds

Eric