hydraulic helm question
 

My boat has the "Add on" system, Cable steering to the back of the boat then it goes into a "Brazil" valve and then has the Hydraulic rams on the back of the boat.

What I would like to do is replace the Cable part of this system and convert it to a Full Hydraulic System.
Has anyone done this??
Who all makes the Hydraulic Helms???
What else do I need to change??
Do I need a different Power Steering Pump???
What all ratios does the steering come in???
and of course how much????

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

Brad,

East Job..... What cylinders do you have? (Latham, Mayfair...)????

You need:

Helm
Filter
Lines
Fittings
Cooler

Probably less than $1k

I'd use WPM (951)371-8247 they will put a kit together for you with everyting. Bob is a great guy. If you need help with them I can hook you up.

A.B.

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

Hey Brad,
I am getting ready to do the same thing. I believe what you are looking for is the inside hydraulics kit. You can keep your current rams although I have had people tell me to replace them with something newer than 1986 stuff. IMCO has the best drawings for these. You need a new helm, post, filter, reservoir, HP and LP lines, fittings, and adapters. You can keep your current Power steering pump. Not everyone agrees that a reservoir is needed. The parts are all standard hydraulic parts. I don't believe there are different ratios (there are different volumes of the helm that dictate how many turns of the steering wheel for lock to lock). The most common sized helms are the 120cc and 160cc. Smaller for single rams, larger for big #6 rams, dual pumps, etc. The cost for these kits seem to run around $1000.

IMCO, CP, Hardin, and Warlock Performance are the places I have found the kits so far.

I found a place up near 635 and 29 that carries all of the supplies, so I am checking into their costs vs. a kit.

Here is the IMCO link with the drawing - http://www.imcomarine.com/pages/nev-....html#helm%201

Give me a call if you have any other starter questions. I can tell you who I have called and save you some research time.

Doug

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

Andy and Doug, thanks!!!

I believe it is Lathem, and I have an extra set of rams, just in case.

Doug, How is your project coming??? Let me know what you find out about the company in KC that may carry everything.

Thanks again!!
Brad

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

Doug, I tried to reply to you by e-mail and PM but it wouldn't let me!!
I'm very interested in the Hydralic steering, and we are ready to do it. Actually we need to do it soon!!! So let me know!!
Do you still have the same cell phone???
Thanks!! Brad
[email protected]

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

I have a used Latham Helm and a couple of Latham reservoirs. I have both new and used reservoirs. Also have a couple of steering posts. A used one with a hex shaft for use with a steering wheel quick disconnect and a new one from Latham with trim wires running thru the shaft for use with the Latham wheel with switches. Also have the new Latham wheel with switches.

The hoses and fittings are available from local hydraulics stores or from McMaster-Carr.

Todd

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

great thread guys .... I want to convert my cable to hydraulic steering. but for now only on the inside. I was told by a VERY knowledgable Merc mechanic that it can be done. I have a 1989 311 and the inner steering system. it has the new type with no external lines. You can replace the new style with an older style that has external lines and have Hydraulic steering. I am interested it what you guys come up with and wonder what size helm I would need. I would want to have just the inside hydraulics for now and add the external latter .... thanks guys

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

have done it many times and yours can be done also. you don't really need an external resevoir if you have twin rams, (what goes in one comes out of the other). It looks cooler if you have the resevoir. If you wanted to use two pumps ( one on each engine) then putting a fitting into the top of each back to a common resevoir seems to be the way to go. I seem to remember doing the job for about $2000.00 with the labor.

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

Jim if that was directed my way .... no external Rams for now ...just the internal Steering Assembly ...So without the rams I would need a Resevoir ? Maybe the stock pump resevoir is ok ? What dictates the helm size ? The less turns lock to lock is more difficult to turn ?

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

Thanks for the help guys!!! Doug pointed me in the right direction.

Doug, Post what you were talking about, the external rams that are on the inside need to me moved to the outside, something about to much stress on one attchment point on the drive.

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

Here is what I have found in my searching (I'm not an expert and I did not stay at a Holiday Inn Express - just picking up info anywhere I can).

In almost all cases of converting old style cable to hydraulics, the first part seems to be adding the external rams, lines, and end caps. This leaves you with a cable over hydraulics system (a hot setup in mid to late 80's). The problem is that the cable portion left on the inside is still prone to stretching, breaking, free play, etc), so the next part to be replaced is the internals. Replace the cable helm and steering valve with hydraulic helm, lines, filter, etc. This now gives you full hydraulics.

In my case I have an old 86 Fountain with cable over hydraulics. In my search to replace the cable, I found the IMCO kits (ie. HK-02) to be just the ticket. These are the inside hydraulic kits (assumes you already have the external parts).

I have heard mixed answers on the need for a resevoir. Figured I would start without and add it later if needed.

On the size of the hydraulic helm, the 2 most common sizes seem to be the 120 cc and 160 cc. This affects lock to lock turns. For some big applications (rams to push twin #6 drives) a larger (230 cc) helm seems to be the common number. My plan is to go with the 160 cc unit. Char Lynn part number 211-1010.

My latest surprise came last week when I was speaking with someone I consider a SSM expert. He told me that the rams should never be mounted on the inside of a twin drive setup. They should always be on the outside due to the stress they place on the end caps and hinge pins of the drives. He said I should also remove the upper tie bar (also connects to the end caps), and replace it with a lower tie bar and saddles. That news kind of stunned me (visions of more dollars flying out of the wallter) so I am in temporary holding pattern while I try to decifer this new info.

Brad - give me a call if I can confuse you some more! I'll be installing mine in about 3 weeks down at the lake.

Thanks,
Doug

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

So the helm looks like this http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.as...-1882&catname=

You still need a post, wheel, brackets, ect?

Re: hydraulic helm question
 

I used the "1010' helm unit when I converted my Bullet...Worked great
Call fred at trick...He can get you the post & parts you need