How do you install a steering bar on a 70 merc 80hp

[bajarick]

I have a 1970 80hp short shaft Mercury and I need to install a steering bar for my drum steering system.

Does anyone make a steering bar for this motor?

I know it has to be installed using the power head bolts, but it looks like a tight fit.

Please post some pics of an installation - helps a lot to see something cool.

Help please!

[largecar91]

I doubt anyone makes them now for the old inlines. I ran them on the inline sixes years ago which would be the same bars. Just maybe get with some of the old vintage guys and see if some are still floating around. They used longer powerhead studs

[bajarick]

Cool - thanks largecar.

[bajarick]

I made up some cardboard templates for the mounting plates, and took them down to my fab shop along with my current steering bar.

Told them to cut it in half and weld the ends to the mounting plates.

Came out really nice.

With a little finessing on the grinder they fit quite well.

I can extend the ends of the bar to line up with the tilt tube as needed.

Now I just need to figure out how to modify the lower cover to fit in place over the bar....:cool:

[25XS]

I believe you want the front ends to line up with the swivel pin... Not with the tilt tube. The idea is the steering bar ends each swing an arc about the center (which is the swivel pin) so that each side travels the same amount so your steering cables don't go slack on one side while turning.

[bajarick]

I believe you want the front ends to line up with the swivel pin... Not with the tilt tube. The idea is the steering bar ends each swing an arc about the center (which is the swivel pin) so that each side travels the same amount so your steering cables don't go slack on one side while turning.

Gotcha - Thanks for the tip.

I wont be running power trim this year, so I wont have a problem with slack due to trimming the engine.

Side to side (turning) cable slack will be taken up at the cable ends.