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Mercruiser 3.0 Power Steering Add On

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PJC

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I know it was not a standard option to the IL4 but I’m hoping someone has added power steering and has pics of the installation or can answer questions I have.
1998
Thanks
 
I had it on my last boat which was a 1991 3.0, was definitely nice to have vs the older boat my grandfather had (1966) with no PS.

Here is the pump kit for a 3.0, unless you can piece together used you will get sticker shock. You would need to look though parts listings on this site for the PS components on the transom

www.mercruiserparts.com

Mercury-Mercruiser 861481A2 Power Steering Pump Kit

Mercury-Mercruiser 861481A2 Power Steering Pump Kit genuine factory part not aftermarket. Fast shipping - Click here to see live inventory status
www.mercruiserparts.com www.mercruiserparts.com

here is a complete assy on ebay , so try googling it. Cannot vouch for if this kit has all the pieces you may need, hence the parts diagrams on this site

www.ebay.com

CA5 MERCRUISER Alpha 1 Gen 1 Early Gen 2 POWER STEERING 3.0L Kit | eBay

Good condition Fresh water.
www.ebay.com
 
I already have all hardware brackets and pump, just can’t find an illustration showing how it would be mounted to the motor
 
PJC said:
I already have all hardware brackets and pump, just can’t find an illustration showing how it would be mounted to the motor
Click to expand...
There's no way to install this without it robbing power from the engine. Do you want this because the steering is more controlled, rather than loose like an outboard motor? If so, I can agree that it would be a good thing.
 
Here is a link to a You Tube video unrelated to the power steering but it shows the power steering pump and the brackets as attached to the engine.

 
kghost said:
Here is a link to a You Tube video unrelated to the power steering but it shows the power steering pump and the brackets as attached to the engine.
Click to expand...
In light of the question about loose steering in my reply, have you seen a steering damper as an add-on? I have an '84 4Winns and the steering has more input from the outdrive than I like- I'm more accustomed to power steering and the helm doesn't have a way to control this.
 
jimn said:
In light of the question about loose steering in my reply, have you seen a steering damper as an add-on? I have an '84 4Winns and the steering has more input from the outdrive than I like- I'm more accustomed to power steering and the helm doesn't have a way to control this.
Click to expand...
If I understand your question,

The newer power steering assist valve assembly that the steering cable attaches to and the power steering lines also attach at the transom, these have much better valving in them then the ones in the '80s....
I am sure you can move your outdrive from side to side at the outdrive by hand.

The newer ones say 2000 and newer, you cannot. Also all Gen Ii alphas have a Flat "trim tab" where as Gen 1 had one that was adjustable to counter pulling to one side.

Hope that helps
 
jimn said:
In light of the question about loose steering in my reply, have you seen a steering damper as an add-on? I have an '84 4Winns and the steering has more input from the outdrive than I like- I'm more accustomed to power steering and the helm doesn't have a way to control this.
Click to expand...

FYI,
The power steering assist as used in Mercruisers that most have who post here, They were originally used by GM on Corvettes!
At least that is what I was told at Mercruiser training.
 
kghost said:
If I understand your question,

The newer power steering assist valve assembly that the steering cable attaches to and the power steering lines also attach at the transom, these have much better valving in them then the ones in the '80s....
I am sure you can move your outdrive from side to side at the outdrive by hand.

The newer ones say 2000 and newer, you cannot. Also all Gen Ii alphas have a Flat "trim tab" where as Gen 1 had one that was adjustable to counter pulling to one side.

Hope that helps
Click to expand...
Mine is an Alpha M/R and it's only a 17' boat, so there was no power steering. I just don't like steering that's so loose- it reminds me of the little boats from the '50s and '60s that had cables and pulleys.

Thanks.
 
FYI,
MR and Alpha are the same.
The MR kinda was a transition to Alpha
The only difference is MR has a Oring groove on vertical lower gear case shaft.
Both use the same vertical shaft bearing retention method.
The deletion of the Oring groove for Alpha was due to breakage of the shaft at the oring groove due to impact at prop.

The predicessor , the R drive was a slightly different design. The lower vertical dive shaft had a preload pin and no bearing retainer
 
kghost said:
FYI,
MR and Alpha are the same.
The MR kinda was a transition to Alpha
The only difference is MR has a Oring groove on vertical lower gear case shaft.
Both use the same vertical shaft bearing retention method.
The deletion of the Oring groove for Alpha was due to breakage of the shaft at the oring groove due to impact at prop.

The predicessor , the R drive was a slightly different design. The lower vertical dive shaft had a preload pin and no bearing retainer
Click to expand...
I know- I have worked for three boat dealers and worked on many of these- it has been a few years but we didn't really see many older boats and I don't remember everything, although at least we have resources.

I'm thinking of adding some kind of gas shock absorber like the ones used for hatches and lids, just to minimize the slop.
 
Where is the slop? Is it in the helm steering? Must be. Is it rack and pinion? If so it may be time to upgrade
 
kghost said:
Where is the slop? Is it in the helm steering? Must be. Is it rack and pinion? If so it may be time to upgrade
Click to expand...
The boat had a DetMar steering assembly (no longer available) that seemed OK when I bought it, but the repairs and killing my knee caused it to become very hard to steer- I tried letting solvent enter as a way to loosen it, but that didn't work, so I replaced it with a SeaStar that was described as 'low input'. The The rack is fully engaged with the helm, but it's very loose and there's no way to adjust this. The gimbal and trim are well lubed- I made sure to do that after I saw how badly the previous owner damaged it through lack of maintenance but it's really just something that could be considered "Add to wish list for this boat". Under way, it's OK, but at low speed (not caused by the trim tab), it's very similar to driving a car with sloppy steering.

I didn't buy this boat so I could spend a lot on it, but that's how it turned out. I'll live with it, but I may play with the gas shock idea- if it works, I'll post part numbers and design.
 
kghost said:
Here is a link to a You Tube video unrelated to the power steering but it shows the power steering pump and the brackets as attached to the engine.

Click to expand...
Thanks much, that gets me the mounting for the pump bracket. Only question now is do I really need the pump cooler or can I get away with running the high pressure and low pressure lines directly to the steering actuator
 
Well thanks for advice but I already have funds sunk in the power steering items.
But as a matter of interest where would I find a hydraulic kit?
 
PJC said:
Well thanks for advice but I already have funds sunk in the power steering items.
But as a matter of interest where would I find a hydraulic kit?
Click to expand...
That comment was meant for Jimm...see the @ jimm in the begining?
 
PJC said:
Thanks much, that gets me the mounting for the pump bracket. Only question now is do I really need the pump cooler or can I get away with running the high pressure and low pressure lines directly to the steering actuator
Click to expand...
I would think yes unlike in a car there is no airflow. Certainly could run it and see but would imagine your seal life on system components would suffer.

Do you need the cylinder setup for the transom or do you have it already

Also I have seen the pumps mounted like shown in the video and also mounted on the other side of the engine . My 91 had the pump on the port side of engine.
 
Dieter said:
I would think yes unlike in a car there is no airflow. Certainly could run it and see but would imagine your seal life on system components would suffer.

Do you need the cylinder setup for the transom or do you have it already

Also I have seen the pumps mounted like shown in the video and also mounted on the other side of the engine . My 91 had the pump on the port side of engine.
Click to expand...
Scratch that last comment on port side that was the alternator.

Didn’t catch you were looking for mounting photos if u need more I have some engine bay shots of my 91 3.0 from when I sold it a few years back, cant seem to get them attached…
 
PJC said:
Thanks much, that gets me the mounting for the pump bracket. Only question now is do I really need the pump cooler or can I get away with running the high pressure and low pressure lines directly to the steering actuator
Click to expand...
Yes, the cooler is necessary,.....
 
I found everything I needed for hydraulic system on ebay and spent under $500. I did install it myself (upper and lower helm stations) But I understand not wanting to get into it.

I didn't buy this boat so I could spend a lot on it, but that's how it turned out.
This should be in everyone's sig line.
 
The boat is only 17' and it's easy to steer but I should clarify the "I didn't bu this boat to spend a lot on it- I have worked on boats professionally and this one only cost $500 on the trailer. I knew about the overheat, but didn't expect it to be so severe and if I had wanted to deal with trying to get that pinhead to let me return it, I would have done that but really, my intent was to use it as practice for my retirement since buying/repairing/selling boats is one of the things I want to do. The bizarre thing is that when I went to a boat dealer for the thin Delrin washers for the trim pivot, I accidentally got a job in the service department.

I'm still considering names for the boat- some possibilities:

404- Boat Not Found
WWIT? (What Was I Thinking?)
Doh!
Why? Why? Why?
 
Dieter said:
Scratch that last comment on port side that was the alternator.

Didn’t catch you were looking for mounting photos if u need more I have some engine bay shots of my 91 3.0 from when I sold it a few years back, cant seem to get them attached…
Click to expand...
Yes, I’ll take any pics you have. The transom cylinder is already mounted. Just need to see how the power steering pump is mounted along with the oil cooler.
Not sure if they will let me give an email address but we will see
Pchiavetta at yahoo
 
PJC said:
Yes, I’ll take any pics you have. The transom cylinder is already mounted. Just need to see how the power steering pump is mounted along with the oil cooler.
Not sure if they will let me give an email address but we will see
Pchiavetta at yahoo
Click to expand...
Sent them
 
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