Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

Well still working out bugs 1 1/2 later. Started new motor today "thank god I am almost done". Well the two short trips last year I noticed that the steering was tight. I saw a post on drilling the orfice at the back if the power steering pump for better flow, so I tried that and did not help. More research I found that the inter factory ram is not hooked up, there is a rubber hose looping the in / out of the ram. How is a dual ram set up usually hooked up (one internal & one external)? Look at the photos for better under standing. Thanks Kyle

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

is it hydrualic from the helm, or cable from the helm ? if its full hydrualic that Brazil valve shouldn't even be there anymore.

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

Its cable from the helm.

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

is it the two stell lines that llop to each other, what hooks tot he other side of the fittings on the inside of the transom for the external clyinder ?

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

The two fitting facing the bow are from the p.s. pump and the two facing the transom are the external ram, and yes the loop is on the steel line off the mecrury ram. Thanks for the help.

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

what hooks to the fittings that go thru the transom and connect to the external clyinder? you got a pic of the whole compartment?

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

I have a through hull kamma fitting. I you are thinking its a flow problem then I know were the problem is! There is an adapter on one of the lines that looks real restrictive. Is it normal for the one cylinder to be disconected? I will get more photos tomorrow. Thanks

I can get some better photos tomarrow if you want. See if any of these help, last photo on page 2 blows up to show the fitting.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=80900

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

get some better pics of the entire steering routing, somehting looks funny to me. Looks like you had a lot of fun with that project. :eek:

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

Tons of fun, just hoping some if it will be on the water this summer. Check back after 8pm tomorrow.

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

here are better photos / the tan lines come off the rear of the valve and goes to the through hull fitting / the p.s. pump lines go the block thats mounted to the engine mount as seen in the photos / then to the front of the valve / the external ram is simple..... The factory ram is not hooked up and has the black hose looping the tow sides togather ( has a small kink ) also in the close up photo you can see the one adpter on the line off the front of the valve looks real resrtictive??????

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

more

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

Maybe this will help.
I have hopefully attached the Hardin Marine add on steering schematic for the Saginaw valve setup. They talk about that looped tube...

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

is it real stiff or just kinda stiff ?

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

Knida stiff at idle / like two hand stiff. After looking at the chart from mudball it looks to be hooked up right may just be a flow problem from the wird fitting / I would guss its 1/8" I.D. or less over a few inches....

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

based on your pics, it is plumbed correctly. I am gonna have to go with the good ol' replace the cable answer on this one. It is a great excuse to upgrade to full hydrualic though. If you have the money and patience left to deal with it after everything else you have done to that rig.

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

I have read in many places that 'add on' hydraulic steering systems are 'stiff' at lower rpm's.

I agree. Get a hydraulic helm! You will be happy!

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

Can the cable be replaced by hydraulic helm and still use the internal ram and original P/S pump?

I'd like to start upgrade of steering without loosing whole boating season and cost of full external hydraulic right now>

Re: Power steering ? w/ external ram!
 

Yes, you can use the original powersteering pump. but it will hook directly to the external ram. The internal ram can be removed. It really cleans up the inside of your transome.