V-20 I/O - Outboard Conversion

[BigMike]

I want to the deck space...my box is butchered up anyhow to make room for the hyd pump that used to be in there....as far as fuel goes...my main tank holds 48...that will run the mixed fuel ...and I have a saddle tank 20 that will run the 4 stroke kicker The cooler that sits port side is a live well plumbed to a through hull jabsco...it hold 35 - 40 gallons....and its heavy,,,but with me (250lbs and my saddle tank sitting starboard it counters it..) I keep alot of my halibut alive for the asian market they bring a better price......I'm doing the fuel system tonight...One concern I have is my steering for the outboard... The bracket I think I'm buying tommorow is a single armstrong without a step I think it will look goofy to have my steering cable coming out of the corner of the transom floating in the air for 32 " back to make the turn etc.... whats the tightest you think I can make the 90 degree turn with the steering cable>? that or I am considering making the linkage so that the cable can run straight down the bracket....not sure if it will have the power that way...also I use an old auto pilot and the steering can be touchy...what length steering cable did you need for your conversion>? BTW nice bracket and motor and boat...Also I am wondering if my throtle cable and shifter cable will work with the johnson outboard and control unit>?
Thanks,
P.S. mine is a 79

[Bonita Dan]

Ifn it were my boat I would be considering installing a seastar system along with teleflex extreme cables. Just sayin. Good luck with the project. Looks good so far.

[macojoe]

I use an old auto pilot and the steering can be touchy...what length steering cable did you need for your conversion>? BTW nice bracket and motor and boat...Also I am wondering if my throtle cable and shifter cable will work with the johnson outboard and control unit>?

It has been 6 or7 years since I did it and 3 years since I sold it. So I have no memory of the sizes??

whats the tightest you think I can make the 90 degree turn with the steering cable>? that or I am considering making the linkage so that the cable can run straight down the bracket.

With a bracket all you need to do is run the cable threw the transom a bit to one side and it will go in the motor just fine, no need to get picky about it.

[BigMike]

well you see I have no swim porch or step etc... so I didnt want to have the steering cable way out in limbo...I have a kicker so no step.....btw got the bracket today its an armstrong brand new....marine shop going out of business...I paid $800 ouch....I mached it up tonight it sure seems low...but I checked 4 times!!!!! I have a 20" shaft OB thats why I suppose....Cav plate is 2 1/2" above hull at 32" aft the transom.
Ill post some pics soon,
Thanks,
Mike

[RidgeRunner]

Originally Posted by BigMike

well you see I have no swim porch or step etc... so I didnt want to have the steering cable way out in limbo...I have a kicker so no step.....btw got the bracket today its an armstrong brand new....marine shop going out of business...I paid $800 ouch....I mached it up tonight it sure seems low...but I checked 4 times!!!!! I have a 20" shaft OB thats why I suppose....Cav plate is 2 1/2" above hull at 32" aft the transom.
Ill post some pics soon,
Thanks,
Mike

Cav plate 2 1/2" above the hull sounds good for starters. For speed mine is 5 1/2" above at 30" setback. You may need to raise the motor a hole or two depending on where the cav plate is at planing speed.
BTW- I have had good luck burning pre-mixed gas thru 4-stroke engines. I have had several fuel injected Chevy's and all sorts of small engines that run without a problem on mixed fuel. They don't even smoke. Someone will prob rip me a new one but I see no problem running your kicker on mixed fuel if you needed/wanted.

[macojoe]

IMO, That 20" motor is not good for the bracket!! You will see when you have it done its going to be low on the transom and in the water all the time!
My 25" was low also and I always wished i had a 30"
My Sea Ox is a 25" and i still wish it was a 30, BS just did a boat and made it a 30 and wow is she real nice!!

[Skools Out]

with a 20 inch motor you can't slow fast or you will dunk the motor and fill the carbs with water. it's not recommended to use 20 on bracket min is 25 inch motor. good luck.