Mercury 2.5L 200 rigging questions

[jasoncooperpcola]

so i will plan on replacing the tube when i take the lower unit off for a water pump.

[phatdaddy]

speedo tube , to me, is more useless than the trim gauge. takes up a 4.25" hole. most just let them run out of the hole on the midsection and cap. to me the most vital gauges are the volt & water pressure, then tach & hourmeter. speedo, trim & gas are a waste of space.

[jasoncooperpcola]

Phat keep in mind i am converting to a center console. I have a blank console to start with. I wont know how much room i have for gauges until my control gets here. But i think i have more than enough room for what gauges i want.

[phatdaddy]

k

[spareparts]

just remember, if you boating in salt water, a speedo or water pressure gauge can be a possible leak of spraying salt water on the back of your dash

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by spareparts

just remember, if you boating in salt water, a speedo or water pressure gauge can be a possible leak of spraying salt water on the back of your dash

Yup...that's the reason that I ultimately disconnected the aftermarket units that I had. The pressure inside the tube is fine as long as the hose is sound, but if there's a leak from old or rotted hose then the air is replaced with water in the hose and it can get real bad real quickly on your electronics. Stick with a GPS or a transducer with a paddlewheel for speed indications.

[jasoncooperpcola]

I wont worry about the speedo gauge. But since i have the water pressure hookup already on the motor i will hook it up.

Been a busy weekend, drove to Louisiana Saturday, went to Kenner first to get the cowling, then spent the rest of the day in Houma, mom is originally from Houma so she hasn't seen her family in a while.

While i was in Kenner, talking with the guy i also scored a used stainless tilt tube for the 2.5L. Got up this morning and spent about three hours changing the tilt tube. Ended up taking a transom bracket off because the tube was stuck in it and free in the swivel and other bracket. Got everything back together and greased, put the lower cowling together, and now she looks as good as she runs. I also got the harness and gas hose/drive cable grommets for the lower cowling, is there a rigging tube adapter available that mounts where these go?

Also just discovered a pouch on the inside of the cowl. Opened it and there was a pull rope inside. I thought to myself, i hope i never have to try to use that!

[RidgeRunner]

You could use it in a pinch, provided you eat your Wheaties.

I gotta agree with Phat on the gauges, give me a tach, water pressure and a volt meter. Need to know that your making good water pressure IMO, most important, followed by battery voltage/charging system status. Temperatures on a outboard often require an extra sensor or two.(water and head temp)
I replaced the trim sensor on the Optimax because the Smartcraft Gauges kept beeping to alert me of the sensor failure at every startup. Annoying.

[spareparts]

ya gotta hate those annoying smart craft gauges

[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.