2 Tie Bars on a Fountian
 

Question: I was thinking of adding a 2nd tie bar on my 42 EX with staggered 525's. I was wondering if anybody has ever done this or know of any problems this might cause. I currently have Latham steering and XR's. I spoke with Latham and they said that the upper tie bar is mounted off center and the lower mounts for the tie bar would be on center, and they would work against each other??? But my mech. showed my the set-up he is talking about on a boat that has been running it for 5+ years with no problems???? I like the looks of the 2nd tie bar but I don't what to have problems???? Anybody???? BZ

Re: 2 Tie Bars on a Fountian
 

These have been on for 10 years and no problems and I am doing a similar setup on mine but these are on 32" centers and I am not sure if the staggered drives being closer together would make a difference. Brian

Re: 2 Tie Bars on a Fountian
 

Leave it alone, don't mess with it. I've got it on my drives, but only because that's the way I bought the boat. I figure there's 2 incase I lose one, these's a back up one. :rolleyes:

The #6 drives only have 1 bar, but the #5's got 2, :eek: go figure that one.

Re: 2 Tie Bars on a Fountian
 

We ran two on our raceboat a 38 with staggered 525s. No problems.

Re: 2 Tie Bars on a Fountian
 

bob was that set-up on a 98 35' lightning at jeff's shop? if it was it is my brother's boat, and he has experienced no problems with this set-up.

Re: 2 Tie Bars on a Fountian
 

yes...BZ

Re: 2 Tie Bars on a Fountian
 

Frank I am thinking one upper one lower....BZ

Re: 2 Tie Bars on a Fountian
 

the best way to run dual tie bars is with both on center, the use of wing plates on the upper set up would allow the tie bar to be centered to the rear of the plate, that way they dont fight eachother in their natural range of motion. the only reason you need this much rigidity is if you're making big power and the drives are trying to pry each other apart. this has been my experience anyways. just my 2 cents worth, do what you think is best!!!

Re: 2 Tie Bars on a Fountian
 

I like the look but I don't want to do anything that will do harm to the drives...ect....BZ

Re: 2 Tie Bars on a Fountian
 

The geometry will get funky with a off center bar up top, and a saddle type on center on the bottom. The one you saw, were both bars on the centerline? I'd leave it alone, why break something that's not broken?