Installing external hydraulic steering questions
 

So I bought a complete take off hydraulic steering system off facebook powerboat swap shop. It was a hassle and the system ended up being rather incomplete, but that’s for another thread.
Items missing that I paid for with related questions are:

-Tie bar (I have one now any way)

-Power steering pump (have the stock one on the boat)

-Pump cap for external reservoir, the oil tight one with nipple. Do I need to run an external reservoir, if so, who sells these caps?

-Pins and studs to mount the rams to the Latham marine TRS wing plates and the plates to the drives. The rams are hynautic and have rod-ends on them as opposed to clevis ends. Is Latham direct the best source for these?

-Steering column. I take it I need the standard 3 inch. Are the bolt patterns standard? I have an Eaton helm unit with four mounting holes in with a female spline.

This is going on a 311 formula, between drives with a silent thunder swim platform. Can I attach the rams to below the wing plate as opposed to in the center? If I do, I still keep the rams mounted to the transom at the crank center line correct? They are 9 inch throw rams. The reason for this is more clearance when raising the drives to trailer so the rams don’t hit the platform.

Thanks for any help in advance and let me know if something I wrote is confusing.

Ok, let's spice it up a bit, what oil do you recommend, I'm thinking safflower.....

I can only speak for how my boat is setup now, but my steering is using a stock 496 P/S pump and reservoir. The only real magical looking items in the bilge are a power steering filter mounted on the transom. That's about all the help I can be as I didn't rig mine.

Have you taken measurements yet on if the rams will fit inboard of the drives? I know on my scarab which was. 34" center distance my rams would not fit inboard. Elevation of the ram is not real critical as long as your getting the right amount of left to right travel and that the heim joints are not binding!

As far as oil, transmission fluid is the best!

Here is how I rigged mine!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i4...psfb59c607.jpg

I have an extra pump cap for connection to a remote reservoir.
Pm me your address and it's yours.

Thanks for the input. Mine needs to stay in the center because of the swim platform. I will take measurements of course but it should work as I have seen other formulas with the rams between the drives.

Thanks, I sent a PM

This came in the mail today, what a great gesture!! Thanks again, there are some great guys out there.

The technical support at latham is what i would call uncommonly good. Refreshing ,even . Especially in this day and age.give them a try , may take a bit to get back to you