Twin engine power steering
 

Mercury has a kit available to allow you to plumb both power steering pumps to a valve that feeds a hydraulic assist steering set-up, Does anybody know what this part number is?

Thanks

Give IMCO a call. They have valving systems for twin application . Part # PT13 page 85 .

http://www.imcomarine.com/nvcatalog/imco_catalog.pdf

hyd assist power steering? by that you mean the stock inside boat pass car-style power steering? if so, what advantage to 2 pumps? i think spectras is thinking hyd steering, not cable-to-tiller PS.

Only advantage I can think of would be if you lose motor that has the pump you could somehow switch to the other motors pump.

Example: My boat drives power steering off of Port motor. When I lost the engine coupler, I had to limp back on the Starboard only. I was able to keep the Port motor running to use the power steering but what if there was a problem with that engine, bearing or rod failure? Then no power steering and with twins and dual rams... turning is a BIATCH!

exactly...if you lose the eng that has the only pump your screwed. my boat has the two pumps with the balance valve. the downside is if the balance valve is not functioning correctly the running pump will fart all the fluid out of the non running pump resivor so your screwed again. its great if its working right...

So the blaance vlves dont have a check valve? to stop that from happening?

they do, i was refering to when the ck valve fails, as mine did.

My boat has the cable to tiller via brazil valve hydraulic assist. One day I'll go full hydraulic when I have the energy to figure out to install the helm pump.Have a sliding door going behind the helm interfering with most helm pumps.I could do a surface mount one but that would decrease the distance between the wheel and bolster seat.don't want to move the seat back. Cables always have play in them, regardless if new or used but the dual ram set up keeps the drive/s steady by the applied pressure from the p/s pump .I'll be at Desert Storm and want to talk to the Imco guys about my situation. With twins my boat tracks well at speed with hands off ,it only wonders slightly at idle with the cable setup.

http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/E...ect%20complete

And yes ,I want to have the valve for two p/s pumps.I lost power to my starboard engine with the p/s assist due to drive breakage
and it was a sum***** to turn the wheel limping home.The added hydraulic steering also helped to keep the drive from pulling out completely,leaving the bellows intact, so no worries about water coming through the shaft bearing hole.

Here's the carnage http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/broken%20bellhousing

How did that happen?

Hitting a submerged log in the North Arm of the murky Fraser River going about 35-40 miles an hour. It's a hit or miss around log infested rivers here.I see boaters going full bore around ignoring it! I've been boating for over 40 yrs in the region and that was my first major blow, so it's not too bad I guess.It's not much better out in the ocean either since there're many logs floating out there too until getting water logged and sink.In the 70's 80's and early 90's beachcombers used to pick floating logs but not anymore since fuel costs more than the value of salvaged logs.lol.

I was told that Mercury has a part to allow you to hook both pumps up but have not been able to find this number.

Call a Merc dealer and ask for priority valve kit. Merc part number is 79691A1.
The Merc unit has been discontinued for quite some time but some dealers may have one collecting dust on their shelves.
The Imco unit is your closest bet or try finding a 6 port manifold from your local hydraulic shop.

here's something that could be rigged > http://www.parker.com/portal/site/PA...(25+GPM)&Wtky=

You can buy the valve from Lathem also.

went to my local hardware store Princess Auto today and picked up a diverter valve by Shoemaker.
They had some solenoid control model for the lazy ones at $224 but I opted for this manual model ,for $ 99.
http://shoemakerinc.com/newCatalog/d...pages/3169.htm

sweet i was thinking of making something like this but its not worth it for 99 bucks, good work!...

What's the price for the Imco or Lathem valve? Fully automatic, no solenoids or levers. You don't even now they are there.

I think around $300 and I'm not even sure if the Imco and Latham units are automatic or not.I saw another valve at the store with solenoid at $224.I prefer the manual valve.Only needs switching in case of engine problems or balancing engine hours for folks who could putt putt on one engine in the Channel in Havasu,gawking at the girls with pasties,lol

Yes, Lathem is a no touch valve, I assume Imco would be too. Never seen one in a boat with a manually operated valve., whether by hand or solenoid.

Yrs ago someone here posted exactly what it is called so you could buy it at a hyd shop.

The Latham valve (part # VALV-3175) is $377.28 plus shipping. I called yesterday to see what they cost for a friend. I am glad I have one already installed in my boat.

guys, having some hyd sys experience (heavy equip) i dont see what could go wrong in one of those valves other than bad orings, back up rings or maybe some gabage stuck inside. i suppose i should get off my ass and take mine apart and report back. im hoping to get it out in a week or so. another thing is it seems to me that only higher end boats came with this valve although my mirage has it. i dont consider mirage a high end expensive boat. ive even had mercuriser certified mechanics tell me "there is no such thing you dont know what your talking about" ya whatever dickhead...:greenchainsaw: