incrediblened
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2009
- Messages
- 148
I'm in deep, and there's no turning back.
I recently pulled my 470 engine because my exhaust elbow bolts came loose and I was pumping water straight into my bilge. I always told myself that once I pulled the engine that I would upgrade the boat to power steering. Power steering makes a boat so smooth and enjoyable. I hate having to two hand the steering wheel to launch a tuber into painful water smashing joy. I bought a used PS kit that I bought off of eBay several years back for about $80, but I didn't want to pull the engine just to install this. Now is the time.
Well, here ew go. These are the steps that have worked so far. (I had a lot of things that didn't work along the way -- but let's not get into that).
1) Alternator Relocation: I had a custom alternator conversion kit installed and my alternator was top-mounted. This had to be moved to bottom mount to accomodate the power steering pump. I haven't completed the attachment yet... but I think I found an INCREDIBLY economcal way to mount the alternator to the bottom.
2) Inner Transom Plate: My Transom assembly was Type II. It would not accomodate a PS actuator. I bought a boat that had an Alpha Inner transom plate and put it in the boat. (Since I had the newer alpha outdrive/gimbal housing I swapped it out as well, along with the exhaust elbow and trim pump.)
2b) Steering Cable: I had to remove the steering cable from my transom plate and attach it to the actuator. This was a tedious process, but it's done. I haven't centered the steering wheel... but I'll wait till I get it on the water to take this on.
3) Flywheel Cover: I now needed a new Alpah flywheel cover that creates more room for the moving actuator and gives me the proper motor mount width.
4) Exhaust: Since the original exhaust gets in the way of the actuator movement it appears that the Alpha exhaust elbow MUST be installed. Fortuantely the risers are identical bolt patterns, so I swapped them out. The newer alpha exhaust riser incorporates a 45 degree twist that moves the exhaust manifold even further out of the way.
5) Antifreeze Cooled: Since my engine is antifreeze cooled I have to swap out the brass? elbow that comes out the side of the riser so that it can be connected to the heat exchanger. So far I have failed in this task. Suggestions would be helpful. I tried sticking a 1/2" drive socket in the lakewater cooled riser and twisting it off. The cast plug shattered, and it looks like I'm going to have to drill it out to get to good threads. I haven't tried to pull the elbow out yet on the antifreeze cooled riser... but I'm afraid that when I do it's going to get trashed.
6) Power Steering cooler: I haven't looked at this yet, but it looks simple enough. Cut the coolant hose and slip it in.
7) V-Belt: I just ran to the auto parts store multiple times until I got the right length of belt to hook everything up. I my have to do it again if I move my alternator again.
Things to consider:
Required Parts List: (on my job)
1) PS actuator
2) PS pump
3) PS cooler
4) PS fluid lines
5) Alpha One inner transom plate
6) Alpha one flywheel cover
7) Alpha one exhaust J pipe
8) Alpha one 45 degree riser spacer
9) Bottom mount alternator conversion kit (unless you're using the stator) 10) V Belt.
11) Shorter steering cable (if you're tight already)
12) Riser Coolant Elbow (I might break mine when I attempt to unscrew it)
13) Riser Gaskets (2 - I have an aluminum block plate between the riser and the exhaust manifold 'log'.)
I recently pulled my 470 engine because my exhaust elbow bolts came loose and I was pumping water straight into my bilge. I always told myself that once I pulled the engine that I would upgrade the boat to power steering. Power steering makes a boat so smooth and enjoyable. I hate having to two hand the steering wheel to launch a tuber into painful water smashing joy. I bought a used PS kit that I bought off of eBay several years back for about $80, but I didn't want to pull the engine just to install this. Now is the time.
Well, here ew go. These are the steps that have worked so far. (I had a lot of things that didn't work along the way -- but let's not get into that).
1) Alternator Relocation: I had a custom alternator conversion kit installed and my alternator was top-mounted. This had to be moved to bottom mount to accomodate the power steering pump. I haven't completed the attachment yet... but I think I found an INCREDIBLY economcal way to mount the alternator to the bottom.
2) Inner Transom Plate: My Transom assembly was Type II. It would not accomodate a PS actuator. I bought a boat that had an Alpha Inner transom plate and put it in the boat. (Since I had the newer alpha outdrive/gimbal housing I swapped it out as well, along with the exhaust elbow and trim pump.)
2b) Steering Cable: I had to remove the steering cable from my transom plate and attach it to the actuator. This was a tedious process, but it's done. I haven't centered the steering wheel... but I'll wait till I get it on the water to take this on.
3) Flywheel Cover: I now needed a new Alpah flywheel cover that creates more room for the moving actuator and gives me the proper motor mount width.
4) Exhaust: Since the original exhaust gets in the way of the actuator movement it appears that the Alpha exhaust elbow MUST be installed. Fortuantely the risers are identical bolt patterns, so I swapped them out. The newer alpha exhaust riser incorporates a 45 degree twist that moves the exhaust manifold even further out of the way.
5) Antifreeze Cooled: Since my engine is antifreeze cooled I have to swap out the brass? elbow that comes out the side of the riser so that it can be connected to the heat exchanger. So far I have failed in this task. Suggestions would be helpful. I tried sticking a 1/2" drive socket in the lakewater cooled riser and twisting it off. The cast plug shattered, and it looks like I'm going to have to drill it out to get to good threads. I haven't tried to pull the elbow out yet on the antifreeze cooled riser... but I'm afraid that when I do it's going to get trashed.
6) Power Steering cooler: I haven't looked at this yet, but it looks simple enough. Cut the coolant hose and slip it in.
7) V-Belt: I just ran to the auto parts store multiple times until I got the right length of belt to hook everything up. I my have to do it again if I move my alternator again.
Things to consider:
My steering cable is now about 1 foot too long. I may have to swap out for a shorter one. Should the steering be kinda tough when the engine is not running since there is now an actuator installed?
- Should I repair the trim senders while I've got everything apart?
- Do I need silicone on the gimbal housing when I mount it back to the boat?
- Are there any other issues that anyone forsees in finishing the job.
- Any other maintainence issues I should tackle before I drop that sweet, sweet 470 engine back in the boat?
Required Parts List: (on my job)
1) PS actuator
2) PS pump
3) PS cooler
4) PS fluid lines
5) Alpha One inner transom plate
6) Alpha one flywheel cover
7) Alpha one exhaust J pipe
8) Alpha one 45 degree riser spacer
9) Bottom mount alternator conversion kit (unless you're using the stator) 10) V Belt.
11) Shorter steering cable (if you're tight already)
12) Riser Coolant Elbow (I might break mine when I attempt to unscrew it)
13) Riser Gaskets (2 - I have an aluminum block plate between the riser and the exhaust manifold 'log'.)