2 part questions thermostat and steering

[spareparts]

yes

[SkunkBoat]

First step is disconnect link arm.

That isolates problem to either the cable or the pivot shaft of the motor (or possibly both)

If its the cable, you should be able free it up by cleaning and greasing when extended out of the port side of the motor.
You should be able to turn the wheel with your pinky finger. If you can't, then the cable is binding inside of the black plastic sheath....buy a new one...
Disconnecting the starboard side nut is not going to do anything unless you get the whole cable out. That will let you clean out old grease better.

If the motor does not turn easily by hand with the link arm disconnected from the cable, you need to grease or clean & regrease the pivot shaft.

My pivot shaft has been giving me some trouble. new grease was not pushing out old grease so the grease gun was "pressurizing " the shaft making it even harder to turn. I took out the zerk fitting and it shot grease out the hole! That made it easier to turn but not great. I sprayed WD into the hole and top/bottom and moved it back&forth alot. That loosened it up "good enough to go fishing". In the spring I will probably pull the motor and disassemble and clean the pivot. I remember when my motor was new that thing was smooth and really easy to turn by hand, even with cable attached.

[steplift20]

The engine turns easy when disconnected from the pivot rod the problem is in the cable( it's not old) the helm or the steering tube is dirty the steering tube is only about 5 years old everything was replaced with in the last 5 to 7 years I have to try to isolate where I'm getting the problem from
Cable
Helm
Tube
Which one that's what I have to find out

[spareparts]

pull the cable out of the tube

[steplift20]

Came back from working on steering today and this is what I came to, the steering tube seems ok the cable at the engine side moves ( by hands ) very easy so it must be the helm, I didn't disconnect the cable from the helm side but that's what I'm going to do next I did notice thru a small access plate the the helm moves a very little it has play I don't think it should move at all what do you think do you think it's the helm? That 4.2 no feedback system seems tight I wilmlet you know what the outcome is, I just wish my steering was good than it would be a pleasure to drive for a bout that's almost 40 years old she still looks better than the ones I see today but I'm jealous of the steering Thanks for any info you can give me I know people have more serious problems than me so any feed back is greatly appreciated Thanks again

[steplift20]

Last question who has a 4.2 teleflex no feedback with a 150 outboard ,,,, question! Is it hard to turn or easy so I can com pair mine to yours Thanks

[SkunkBoat]

Originally Posted by steplift20

...the steering tube seems ok the cable at the engine side moves ( by hands ) very easy so it must be the helm, I didn't disconnect the cable from the helm side but that's what I'm going to do next

cable moves by hand at engine?..does wheel turn by pulling cable end in & out??

I'm still not convinced it isn't the cable....do you have cable completely clear of the motor yet? if so and the wheel doesn't turn EASY, disconect from helm.
If helm doesn't turn EASY, then get a new cable.

[steplift20]

I have to disconnect it from the helm to find out where the problem is , I disconnected it from the engine could not pull it out all the way but seemed very loose not hanging up at all but still hard to turn wheel I have to disconnect it from helm than push pull cable to see if it s hard I have a feeling it is the helm itself, do you know if you can just buy the helm without the cable? If not than I will have yo get the whole assembly I think it's 17 feet, can you verify the length Thanks for all the come backs
Skunk boat and spare parts you guys have been very helpful thanks for your advice