Tie bar
 

Is there any truth to the rumour that these cats tear the tie bar off when coming off plane at a high rate of speed ? is it the 36 and the 43 ? any help would be appreciated

I have never heard of anything like that in the six years I have had a Nor-Tech cat.

maybe it was bending the tie bar ...?

No problem with the tie rod but you need to closely inspect the clevis mounting brackets for hairline cracks. This is not a Nor-Tech issue, but it is an issue for the company that makes this component the tie rod mounts to. I just replaced both clevis brackets because of cracks. If one fails, it's deadly at high speed.

Thanks GK

What are the Brackets worth ? did you go with the same manufactuer ?

My clevis brackets were from Imco which came with the Merc #6 drives new, it was a casting design flaw very common. They replaced the components at no charge with a new design. Imco was extremely accommodating, great company.

Thanks again GK ..

On mine we used a large diameter tie-bar and extension towers on my Arneson's to make sure it was above the tunnel... I've heard on some applications that if the tie-bar is down too low the water pressure coming through the tunnel can bend it... From what I remember this was usually at or near the transition speed before the cat packed air at 70-80 mph or so...

Jim

Was the bar being to low a Nor tech problem or an issue on all boats with #6 .

Tie Bar
 

Per attached, tie bar hight with #6's is not an issues with the tunnel