1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

[haulnazz15]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

You mentioned "steering rams" in the first post, are you sure there is no power steering pump on the front of the engine?

I believe he was referring to the steering cable/ram that is at the top of the transom plate behind the motor. It's just a mechanical ram, I'm not sure that I've seen power steering on a Merc 888/233, unless someone added one of the SeaStar/Teleflex units after the fact.

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

You mentioned "steering rams" in the first post, are you sure there is no power steering pump on the front of the engine?

I was asking if there was a way to greese up the steering rams located near the transom, I did not see any greese fittings. And no it does not have power steering pump on front of inboard motor.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

if you don't have power steering you don't have steering rams..... perhaps you mean steering cable?

a ram is a hydraulic cylinder

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

Think we beating up a dead horse lol, smoke your most likely correct but I do know the cable plugs back into the bracket system by the transom and there is a ram like item that moves in and out or in another wards port/starboard but don't believe there is a way to greese it which is fine. You don't greese steering cables anyhow do you?

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

Think we beating up a dead horse lol, smoke your most likely correct but I do know the cable plugs back into the bracket system by the transom and there is a ram like item that moves in and out or in another wards port/starboard but don't believe there is a way to greese it which is fine. You don't greese steering cables anyhow do you?

The actuator that connects to the steering arm for the outdrive is grease-able, at least on mine, and has two grease points I believe. I don't currently have any pics of it, but I could get them if you need them. It's not a "ram" per say, but it is a rod going into a larger housing which is connected to the steering cable.

Here's a pic of the non-power steering unit from another thread:

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

Well I will take a better look its difficult not a lot of room peaking my head into tight corners!

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser



Okay so no fittings anywhere that I could find. Here is my steering system any ideas what I can greese on this maybe?

I took it out today with some friends and I removed those stupid fins on the stern drive. Much better and it did handle very well. Still some back and forth action in the choppy water but overall much better. I still get that sticking on the steering when fully extended to one side so wondering if I can greese it or if cable is sticking some place, some how...???

One more thing my WOT is 42 MPH and RPM are 4200 RPM that bad or good?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

I took it out today with some friends and I removed those stupid fins on the stern drive. Much better and it did handle very well.

Awesome... good move

One more thing my WOT is 42 MPH and RPM are 4200 RPM that bad or good?

Spot on PERFECT!.... now you are at the top of the suggested range... when you load the boat down with more people and or tow tubes or skiers you will pull the rpm's down a little but still be in the suggested range

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

What you see in the pic is your steering cable and your tie rod... you can take the tie rod off and grease it as you put it back on but it won't likely help... MOST LIKELY it is time to buy a new steering cable and a helm (I strongly recommend a no feed back) wouldn't be a bad idea.....

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

Awesome... good move



Spot on PERFECT!.... now you are at the top of the suggested range... when you load the boat down with more people and or tow tubes or skiers you will pull the rpm's down a little but still be in the suggested range

I'm stoked to hear this like you wouldn't believe!

As for steering cable can you suggest any links to buy one? Also what does it take to install one?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

Boat Rotary Steering - iboats

Boat Rack & Pinion Steering - iboats

it's fairly self explanatory if you dive into it....

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

Boat Rotary Steering - iboats

Boat Rack & Pinion Steering - iboats

it's fairly self explanatory if you dive into it....

And or the simple fact of ease here is mine rotary or rack n pin? Wasn't sure if you could tell me base on photos I provided...

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

you would need a photo under the dash but you can prolly tell for yourself in the time it takes to snap the pic if you look at the pics in those links

 

[Celtichawk]

Re: 1976 Searay 888 Mercruiser

Thanks I will do that!