Mercury 2.5L 200 rigging questions

[jasoncooperpcola]

I am trying to figure out how to hook my hydraulic steering to the outboard steering arm. Its a SeaStar HC5340-42. Pic Below. Does anybody have an idea on how it hooks up? I will try to get pics tomorrow when its daylight. I think i need a steering arm extension, www.mercurypartsexpress.com/us/steering-arm-extension-kit-p11636.html , but it says "Used with dual engine tie bar kits. Not designed for use with hydraulic or power steering systems or as a primary steering attachment point." . About to get on Teleflex website and look for answers too. On the 250 Sportsman, the hydraulic steering was hooked to the steering arm extensions?

I have never thought about needing a volt gauge, but then again, none of my boats ever had one. Ridge i think i will stick with the dumbcraft gauges. Hopefully no beeping.

EDIT: I need the Teleflex Adapter Kit HO5035, not a steering arm extension (parts 42, 43, 44). $75-$150 I found an exploded diagram on Teleflex website, its below.

[phatdaddy]

might want to check your gps, some give volt readings, i use that as a gauge on my 13 whaler.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I think mine does Phat, but i usually run it off my livewell battery. Dad never wanted it hooked to the motor battery, it would blink sometimes when cranking the motor, and he thought it might be bad for the gps. Good idea, but does anybody have a problem like that with their gps on the motor battery?

[jasoncooperpcola]

Update, i got a Mercury Commander 4501 binnacle control. Its very smooth without cables. Not impressed with the price once i opened it up. But thats the case with all new controls. I will get cables once i get the bracket and console done so i can accuratly deteermine length. So far i am very happy with my motor choice. No way i could have afforded an Optimax. For now i am done buying parts. I need to use what money i have left on house repairs.

[RidgeRunner]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

I think mine does Phat, but i usually run it off my livewell battery. Dad never wanted it hooked to the motor battery, it would blink sometimes when cranking the motor, and he thought it might be bad for the gps. Good idea, but does anybody have a problem like that with their gps on the motor battery?

My GPS/Engine and nearly everything else runs on whatever battery I switch to. Never had the GPS turn off while cranking the engine on any of the boats Garmin 2006, Lowrance HDS7, and Lowrance C68 so far. All of which tell voltage. Flats boat doesn't have a volt gauge, just Tach and Water Pressure.

Smartcrafts should carry a warning label, "Owners need to be smarter than their gauges" New set still in the box Spare..

[jasoncooperpcola]

Got bored, and stuck the controls and hydraulic steering on the console, to see what mods need to be done. It seems the steering wheel is too far up, and the control handle bottoms out reverse and forward. I might build an angled binnacle pod onto the console. I do plan on extending the top of the console to make room for electronics. Gauges are going on the angled section above the wheel and the space between the steering wheel and control will be for switches.

Below are some pics of the setup and the outboard.

[RidgeRunner]

Controls might not bottom out when the cables are installed on both ends. The limit to the throw is actually adjusted at the motor for WOT. There is also a mounting kit for the steering that allows the pump to be mounted from the back side of the dash. Three kits avail. here Round Bezel, Backmount and wedge mount, depending on your model. Looks like it would work. http://www.jamestowndistributors.com...+Tilt+Steering

[jasoncooperpcola]

Will the helm even work at this angle? I will build a binnacle pod, also gives a good place for key and kill switch. I might go ahead and fab a box under the dash for the steering to mount in.

[Randall220]

Originally Posted by jasoncooperpcola

Got bored, and stuck the controls and hydraulic steering on the console, to see what mods need to be done. It seems the steering wheel is too far up, and the control handle bottoms out reverse and forward. I might build an angled binnacle pod onto the console. I do plan on extending the top of the console to make room for electronics. Gauges are going on the angled section above the wheel and the space between the steering wheel and control will be for switches.

Below are some pics of the setup and the outboard.

I have the same type of motor only mine is a 93. This is my second season with the motor and she runs great! I'm quite the newbie with this sort of stuff, but have found that most of the fixes, ( thermostats, wires, basic maint,) i've been able to do myself thru the manual. I'm glad someone mentioned to avoid that pressure tube on there for a speed guage. I've heard horror stories of tubes breaking.

[jasoncooperpcola]

What kind of speed are you getting with your 2.5? Neither am i an expert but this site has helped me alot. Originally i wanted to repower with a 225 Optimax. But i decided on the 2.5L 200 after some prodding from members here. I am glad i got a simple motor now. The only water line i should be running into my dash is water pressure, and i hope it doesn't bite me in the rear. As for repairs so far it needs two thermostats, and i am replacing everything on the poppet valve assembly. The wee stream is almost scalding hot. One of the thermostats came apart and luckily everything got stuck in the thermo cover. After this i am changing thr water pump and gear oil. Is it true these lower units weigh at a hundred pounds?