120/140 power steering install

[75starflight]

Just picked up a plate off of ebay for $65.00 with free shipping.
As soon as it gets here off to the welding shop it will go.

[dorelse]

So...what you're saying is that no 120/140 transom plate exists that had power steering that used the same setup as our V8's did?

[75starflight]

So...what you're saying is that no 120/140 transom plate exists that had power steering that used the same setup as our V8's did?

Correct, at least in the pre 1983 setups it will require a custom modified plate.

[Jason]

Just curious why you are adding it in the first place. I know it can be a little harder to steer at high speed but it's never really been an issue with the CV16SS. If you have the trim tab set correctly that will help too. Is your steering cable nice and smooth? I kind of like not having it on the CV16SS...just that much less stuff to break!

[75starflight]

Just curious why you are adding it in the first place. I know it can be a little harder to steer at high speed but it's never really been an issue with the CV16SS. If you have the trim tab set correctly that will help too. Is your steering cable nice and smooth? I kind of like not having it on the CV16SS...just that much less stuff to break!

the reason I am adding it is because I have a lot of torque steer when running in the 30 to 40 mph range with the laser II I have on her right now and usually it takes 2 hands to make a turn above 30mph sometimes even below. On the trim tab, it is set to the left because the boat kept pulling to the right, but the torque steer was the same even with it set straight. Basicly, I am tired of fighting with the torque steer and I love that Laser II 21p and the way Phoenix Rising runs with it on.

EDIT:  Steering cable moves freely.

[dorelse]

Boy...I think I'd just get an oversized trim tab made and work on it from that angle rather than all the complexities of the power steering addition.

However, I also understand where you're coming from on wanting it.

let's hope the welder is spot on with the plate!

[75starflight]

Its just a simple straight cut so hopefully they won't screw it up.

I already have the over sized trim tab from Mercruiser so this is the next logical option.

[Hyperacme]

Have you heard/seen one of theses ?

Torque Tamer - Hi-Perf Weld On
http://www.bobsmachine.com/Torque-Tamer-Hi-Perf-Weld-On-409-100000.htm

[dorelse]

Agreed Brandon...seems like the next step...

or you could try 'The Torque Tamer'!

[75starflight]

Agreed Brandon...seems like the next step...

or you could try 'The Torque Tamer'!

well it would have been a cheap option $300 ago but I am this far and have all the parts. So once the plate is modified, it give me an excuse to pull the engine and check over my first transom job to see if I am having any issues.

[Jason]

Must be something to do with the hull design. I don't get much torque steer with my Laser II at high speed. Adjusting the trim tab makes a big difference for me.

Anyway, it will be cool to have power steering. I am sure you will be able to get things to work.

[Rich_V174SS]

On the trim tab, it is set to the left because the boat kept pulling to the right, but the torque steer was the same even with it set straight.

If the steering torque pulls the wheel to the right then the tab should also be set to the right to counteract it. If you've got it set left that will only make it worse.

Measure center to center the bolt holes where the bell housing sits on the transom shield
as far as I know the early models were about 11 1/2 " and the later models are 9 1/2 "

As far as I remember pre-Alpha motor mount spacing was 14 inches, 9.5 inches on 1983 and newer Alpha's.

[75starflight]

yes it is set to the right then not left.

[OleRed]

I have several bell housing and transom plates here in the shop that measure 11 1/2 and 9 1/2 but none wider, but there again, I don't do any 4 cyls.

[dorelse]

I don't do any 4 cyls.

Dang right you don't!

[dorelse]

Brandon - Have you found anyone else who's done the mod online?  Wondering if you're following in someone else's footsteps?  Or are you blazing a trail here?

[75starflight]

Brandon - Have you found anyone else who's done the mod online?  Wondering if you're following in someone else's footsteps?  Or are you blazing a trail here?

From what I have found looking for parts, I might be one of the first to do this for a pre 83. I haven't found any information in my searches on this type of conversion. And honestly from what i have read the power steering option was not installed all that much in the alpha era of 4 cylinders.

Maybe I am just the first to push the envelope with this hull design and found the flaw of the steering system. My ultimate goal with Phoenix Rising is to reach the 50 MPH mark once the 140 is built and installed. I really think Phoenix's hull design has a lot of ability to be stable beyond 50 MPH.

Edit: I did find evidence of an add on kit for model years 79-82  but really no details on it and most parts are NLA.

[Rich_V174SS]

Brandon - Have you found anyone else who's done the mod online?  Wondering if you're following in someone else's footsteps?  Or are you blazing a trail here?

From what I have found looking for parts, I might be one of the first to do this for a pre 83. I haven't found any information in my searches on this type of conversion. And honestly from what i have read the power steering option was not installed all that much in the alpha era of 4 cylinders.

Maybe I am just the first to push the envelope with this hull design and found the flaw of the steering system. My ultimate goal with Phoenix Rising is to reach the 50 MPH mark once the 140 is built and installed. I really think Phoenix's hull design has a lot of ability to be stable beyond 50 MPH.

Come to think of it I haven't come across any 3.0 liter Alphas with power steering but the Alpha 3.7 liter engine like mine was available with that option. The inner transom plates were all the same (for the most part) on the Alphas with 9.5 inch spacing for the rear motor mounts and with the ability to easily swap out the manual steering guide tube for a power steering cylinder. They were both held to the transom plate with the same two bolts.

Good luck on your quest to get 50 mph with the 3.0 140. I'm having a tough time maintaining that kind of speed with the 3.7. 

[75starflight]

Brandon - Have you found anyone else who's done the mod online?  Wondering if you're following in someone else's footsteps?  Or are you blazing a trail here?

From what I have found looking for parts, I might be one of the first to do this for a pre 83. I haven't found any information in my searches on this type of conversion. And honestly from what i have read the power steering option was not installed all that much in the alpha era of 4 cylinders.

Maybe I am just the first to push the envelope with this hull design and found the flaw of the steering system. My ultimate goal with Phoenix Rising is to reach the 50 MPH mark once the 140 is built and installed. I really think Phoenix's hull design has a lot of ability to be stable beyond 50 MPH.

Come to think of it I haven't come across any 3.0 liter Alphas with power steering but the Alpha 3.7 liter engine like mine was available with that option. The inner transom plates were all the same (for the most part) on the Alphas with 9.5 inch spacing for the rear motor mounts and with the ability to easily swap out the manual steering guide tube for a power steering cylinder. They were both held to the transom plate with the same two bolts.

Good luck on your quest to get 50 mph with the 3.0 140. I'm having a tough time maintaining that kind of speed with the 3.7.  

I have found some information that might help me reach my goal, but the 140 will probably be a franken Merc when I am done with it.

One question Rich, have you ever seen the OMC manifold with the 500 cfm Holley Carb on it?

[Rich_V174SS]

One question Rich, have you ever seen the OMC manifold with the 500 cfm Holley Carb on it?

I have a friend that had a 1988 Regal with a 3.0 liter Mercruiser but some previous owner modded it with a Holley 2 barrel carburetor. I'm not sure if it had an OMC manifold or if it was the original Mercruiser manifold. I don't think it was an improvement over the Rochester it would have come with.

I do know that Volvo Penta had been using the Holley carb on most of their engines from the mid 90's and up. From around 2004-2005 and newer I never liked the way they ran with the Holley carb, their idle was lousy and I could never seem to adjust them right. They were shipped from the factory with welch plugs over the adjustment screws and I frequently had to drill them out to adjust them on new boats we were selling at the boat shop.