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Adding Power Steering pump to 2007 81L

O

outriggers

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I have a boat previously power

I have a boat previously powered by a Mercruiser 454 Bravo 3 which had a power steering pump to give assist to the hydraulic power steering on the Bravo 3.

Has anyone figured out how to add a pump to a late model 8.1L mpi FWC engine. Crusader dosen't sell the engine with a power steering pump provision. My steering works but could really use the hydraulic boost.

I know there is a stand alone boost pump available for about $1500 but I think that's a little steep
 
why would you replace a mercru

why would you replace a mercruiser i/o engine with a crusader inboard setup? The mercruiser 496 mpi comes with every thing you need for the swap. while the crusader is designed to be used with hydrolic steering and a rudder.
 
The Crusader 8.1L is the best

The Crusader 8.1L is the best version of this engine produced hands down. It's the only one that hasn't shown any sign of water ingestion or trouble with the valves rusting due to condensation in the manifolds. They have revised the manifolds with cooling with form the freshwater side of the engine.

When Volvo and Mercruiser can say that then they will have a big block engine worth buying. I know of a couple installed this year that already have the problem. Part due to installation and part due to condensation causing rust on the valv train.

This is the only gas engine that Carolina Classic will install in their boats for this reason. They are no longer making the 25' I/O jackshaft (mid mounted engine) version as they have stopped making their boats with outdrives.

I have seen two boat manufacturers using the engine in their boats and utilize the available electric power steering boost unit made by
Teleflex. I just don't plan to spend $1500 to install one. Being a electrical engineer I can if I have to utilize one of the many automotive electric power steering pumps and build my own controller for it to regulate the output. Again I would rather do it the simple way.
 
"Joe, there is no simple way w

"Joe, there is no simple way without spending the money. Even using the Merc bracketwork, you will have clearance issues with the fuel control cell on your new engine. It would not be a giant feat to install longer lines on the FCC and mount it remotely. This should give you the room needed to mount the PS pump as Merc does, Keep in mind you still need a fluid cooler.

Do you have a hydraulic helm or is it a mechanical helm with the power actuator on the transom bracket? If it is the later, the Teleflex system will not work for you. This is a power assist system for hydraulic systems. It is s great system and well worth the price although probably overkill for your boat. I normally install this system on boats 35'-50'+.

Rick"
 
"Rick,

Thanks for respondin

"Rick,

Thanks for responding.

I have a hynautic steering system. I made some blank plugs to put in the old mercruiser power steering pump line ports. The boat really doesn't steer bad but it's not like power steering.

I have reseached the Teleflex power assist system and see that it basically inserts in the line. In case I should end up with one it's good to know that someone has a good recomendation for it.

I hadn't thought of relocating the FCC setup. I do have fuel return but that's no problem and and I left the oil cooler that would normally go the transmission in the starboard side to the heat exdchanger so I do have a spare cooler also. The fuel cooler for the FCC is on the other side.

Does the Mercruiser pump bracket mount where the FCC is located. I would assume if it does the belt alignment would be correct as I'm sure Crusaser didn't go to the trouble of making new crank pulleys etc.

Do you know if the belt setup is the same on the Crusader as the Mercruiser. Do they put the Saltwater pump in the same loction.

Sorry for all the questions but I'm seriously interested in mounting a pump if possible and I don't have access to a Mercruiser big block system close by. Hopefully you are a Mercruiser dealer also.

Thanks again,
Joe"
 
"Joe, No, I'm no longer a

"Joe, No, I'm no longer a Mercruiser dealer. I have the Mercruiser 8.1 application manual which is very useful, except mine is inboard only and, like Crusader, they don't use a PS pump on the inboards. You're going to have to get a look at one. They also put their heat exchanger in the front, which may effect how they mount the pump on the I/O models. You might do well getting the automotive version from a junkyard, that may also work.

Belt alignment shouldn't be a problem, but you may have to make a trip to NAPA to get the correct length.

By the way, that's an oil cooler on the other side of your block. Engines with the return type fuel system do not need fuel coolers.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Rick"
 
"Rick,

You are right on the

"Rick,

You are right on the cooler. I had a brain malfunction when I said that about the oil cooler. I know one thing it's a bugger to take one out in my boat. Mine had a pin hole water leak when I first fired it up.

The Cruswader heat exchanger being on the rear of the engine presented some heavy thinking on how to get things hooked up. I finally sawed the copper water intake fitting on the right side off and used some air Cond fittings brazed back on to snake the line around the starboard exhaust line. If the driveshaft had been 1 1/2" longer it would have fit perfectly with out the mod.

Thanks again, I'll do some checking on the brackets. AI might can find a dealer around here with a Merc big block installation.

Joe"
 
"I think I would have added a

"I think I would have added a shaft spacer to move the motor forward before I went through all that, oh well.

Let us know how you make out with the PS pump.

Rick"
 
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