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Author Topic:   Hard to steer 90 E-Tec

dyeomans posted 05-09-2004 11:07 PM ET (US)
17" with 90 E-Tec. Engine ready Friday Afternoon. Dealer only had a 18' Raker SS prop and a 15" SST. So I go to river with mom and son. 18" in on motor. Jack Plate is CMC ML65. About 2 1/4" Cavitation plate to bottom of transom. Well I found the boat hard to steer and could only get 4400 rpms. Think motor was installed with plate even with keel I raised the engine 2". Put a 17" Paranha Prop on the motor. Bad news! vibration and HARD to steer! Back the house. Now have engine cavitation plate 1 1/2 inched above the bottom of the transom. 17" SS prop should be in Tuesday. This dealer forgot to order the prop, and I had to remind him to order the Jack Plate. I could not beleive that he had to drill holes and patch holes. I smell a rat, somebody messed up? What is done is done. Friday was a beautiful day in S East LA. Engine a really smooth. Trailer bracket strong! Looks like transom saver will be out.
Question to Robert! There are there hole in the arm that the steering link attaches to. The are lettered. Which hole are you using. My is in the hole closest to the engine. I purchased the 17" paranha prop. (a composite material on a 30 day trail) I am sure the SS prop will have the rig running smooth. Any ideas on hard steering?
David
jimh posted 05-09-2004 11:42 PM ET (US)
I am certain that Bombardier furnished installation instructions that explain which hole in the engine tiller extension is most appropriate to use with your steering set up. Ask the dealer to give you those detailed installation instructions. They come with the motor, so they ought to be given to the buyer of the motor.
ratherwhalering posted 05-10-2004 04:06 PM ET (US)
David:
The instructions are in the "Steering Connector Kit" manual that came with the engine. The engine should be connected to the aft-most hole, closest to the engine, marked "D".
The instructions are very detailed, and proper installation is necessary to prevent hard steering and binding. I have no problems with my steering (after I moved it to the 'D' hole), and added a "steersman" nut with a zerk fitting to the tilt tube. Does your helm turn easily at idle (or on the trailer?) If not, consider a Teleflex NFB helm and cable replacement. In addition you may also think about adjusting the trim tab on the engine (right above the propeller.) That can decrease the "pull" when you are at speed.
With regard to the set back bracket, instead of drilling the transom, I drilled the bracket to accomodate my existing mounting holes. Worked great.
On another note, make sure the engine is up high enough so the steering arm, with all its extra length and holes, clears the transom. Too low of a setting, coupled with the 5" set back can cause that steering arm to hit the transom when the motor raised.
Finally, get a 17 pitch prop, and see where that gets you.
dyeomans posted 05-10-2004 07:05 PM ET (US)
Thanks R. could not beleive my ears as the installer told me there were no instructions with the motor! Did get the CMC owners manual. Did sign the warranty papers. 17" Prop due in Tuesday. I should have stayed behind the task. Engine steers loose on trailer. Will follow your advice.
Yes hole D, aft hole in used.
David
dyeomans posted 05-17-2004 08:55 AM ET (US)
Engine Steering in fine now. Engine is on CMC ML 65 manual jack plate. 1.5 inches, cavitation plate from bottom of transom. Looks like 17" pitch SST prop is where I should be. No way to tell speed yet. RPM 5100 with two people, 465, dad and son. 3 gallons of fuel, two 12 gallon Alum tanks one aft mounted battery, empty ice 96 qt ice chest, empty front locker, mim gear in console. boat flys. noticed some what of a rooster tale at 2000 rpms in nasty 3 ft chop on shallow lake Marapaux, LA. had to tilt down to eliminate. The old engine was a 3cyl 2 stk 1988 Suz. at about 280 lbs. The 90 E-tec and and jake plate at 32 lbs is noticiable in rough water as both passengers needed to stand or sit at console to avoid beating in rough chop. Am I turning enough RPMs?

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Author	Topic: Hard to steer 90 E-Tec
dyeomans	posted 05-09-2004 11:07 PM ET (US) 17" with 90 E-Tec. Engine ready Friday Afternoon. Dealer only had a 18' Raker SS prop and a 15" SST. So I go to river with mom and son. 18" in on motor. Jack Plate is CMC ML65. About 2 1/4" Cavitation plate to bottom of transom. Well I found the boat hard to steer and could only get 4400 rpms. Think motor was installed with plate even with keel I raised the engine 2". Put a 17" Paranha Prop on the motor. Bad news! vibration and HARD to steer! Back the house. Now have engine cavitation plate 1 1/2 inched above the bottom of the transom. 17" SS prop should be in Tuesday. This dealer forgot to order the prop, and I had to remind him to order the Jack Plate. I could not beleive that he had to drill holes and patch holes. I smell a rat, somebody messed up? What is done is done. Friday was a beautiful day in S East LA. Engine a really smooth. Trailer bracket strong! Looks like transom saver will be out. Question to Robert! There are there hole in the arm that the steering link attaches to. The are lettered. Which hole are you using. My is in the hole closest to the engine. I purchased the 17" paranha prop. (a composite material on a 30 day trail) I am sure the SS prop will have the rig running smooth. Any ideas on hard steering? David
jimh	posted 05-09-2004 11:42 PM ET (US) I am certain that Bombardier furnished installation instructions that explain which hole in the engine tiller extension is most appropriate to use with your steering set up. Ask the dealer to give you those detailed installation instructions. They come with the motor, so they ought to be given to the buyer of the motor.
ratherwhalering	posted 05-10-2004 04:06 PM ET (US) David: The instructions are in the "Steering Connector Kit" manual that came with the engine. The engine should be connected to the aft-most hole, closest to the engine, marked "D". The instructions are very detailed, and proper installation is necessary to prevent hard steering and binding. I have no problems with my steering (after I moved it to the 'D' hole), and added a "steersman" nut with a zerk fitting to the tilt tube. Does your helm turn easily at idle (or on the trailer?) If not, consider a Teleflex NFB helm and cable replacement. In addition you may also think about adjusting the trim tab on the engine (right above the propeller.) That can decrease the "pull" when you are at speed. With regard to the set back bracket, instead of drilling the transom, I drilled the bracket to accomodate my existing mounting holes. Worked great. On another note, make sure the engine is up high enough so the steering arm, with all its extra length and holes, clears the transom. Too low of a setting, coupled with the 5" set back can cause that steering arm to hit the transom when the motor raised. Finally, get a 17 pitch prop, and see where that gets you.
dyeomans	posted 05-10-2004 07:05 PM ET (US) Thanks R. could not beleive my ears as the installer told me there were no instructions with the motor! Did get the CMC owners manual. Did sign the warranty papers. 17" Prop due in Tuesday. I should have stayed behind the task. Engine steers loose on trailer. Will follow your advice. Yes hole D, aft hole in used. David
dyeomans	posted 05-17-2004 08:55 AM ET (US) Engine Steering in fine now. Engine is on CMC ML 65 manual jack plate. 1.5 inches, cavitation plate from bottom of transom. Looks like 17" pitch SST prop is where I should be. No way to tell speed yet. RPM 5100 with two people, 465, dad and son. 3 gallons of fuel, two 12 gallon Alum tanks one aft mounted battery, empty ice 96 qt ice chest, empty front locker, mim gear in console. boat flys. noticed some what of a rooster tale at 2000 rpms in nasty 3 ft chop on shallow lake Marapaux, LA. had to tilt down to eliminate. The old engine was a 3cyl 2 stk 1988 Suz. at about 280 lbs. The 90 E-tec and and jake plate at 32 lbs is noticiable in rough water as both passengers needed to stand or sit at console to avoid beating in rough chop. Am I turning enough RPMs?