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ANY ADVICE BEFORE DRILLING TRANSOM?

chrisG

chrisG

Member
I AM GETTING CLOSE TO FINISHING MY FULL HYDRAULIC STEERING INSTALLATION. I BOUGHT THE IMCO SA-2 KIT AND AM HAPPY WITH THE COMPONENTS IN THE KIT. THE HELM AND ROUTING OF THE LINES ARE FINALLY COMPLETE.(REAL FUN INSTALL BEHIND A CONVINCOR DASH!) I MEASURED THE CRANKSHAFT CENTERLINE YESTERDAY AND MARKED THE LOCATIONS FOR THE DRILLING TEMPLATE. I AM GETTING THE BUTTERFLIES NOW THAT I AM PREPARING TO DRILL THE HOLES IN THE TRANSOM. ANY WORDS OF ADVICE? I AM A BIT WORRIED ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT CENTERLINE. DID I MEASURE CORRECTLY? I ONLY HAD THE IMCO DIAGRAM TO GO BY. IS IT THAT SIMPLE? THANKS.
 
Chris,

I installed mine about a month ago, just be sure of where the instructions tell you to measure from. My system is the Mayfair - the measurement is from the drive centerline. Some others show the measuremnts from the transom assembly. When I measured mine I had the outdrive off so I just inserted a tube into the drive opening and was able to measure from the center, it was fairly easy. The one suggestion I do have is that you use a drill guide if you have one available. When you mark your mounting bracket to drill through the transom, the backing plate has the same configuration. If you do not drill in perfectly straight, your holes inside on the transom will not line up with the mounting plate.


Bob
 
THANKS BOB. I WILL BE DRILLING THIS WEEKEND WITH HELP OF SOME FRIENDS. I FIGURED THAT WAY I CAN HAVE ALL OF US AGREE ON THE MEASUREMENT BEFORE DRILLING.I WAS GOING TO RECHECK USING MY ENGINE ALIGNMENT TOOL FOR THE CENTERLINE. I JUST HOPE THIS PROJECT IS FINISHED IN TIME FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND! CHRIS
 
Alignment tool, even better!! My other suggestion is to put some 3m 4200 sealant into the bolt holes and along the mounting plate before final installation, makes for a good watertight seal. (And don't let your friends get overzealous tightening the bolts.....I'd make them hold the dummy end while you tighten!!). Good Luck, I'm sure it'll come out great! :thumb:
 
I already got the 4200 a few weeks ago from reading other posts. I used it on my transom mufflers. Good stuff. Well I am on my way this morning to drill the transom and hopefully finish the boat this weekend. I'll be glad when this is over. What a knuckle buster the helm install turned out to be!!!
 
It's a small tidbit but..cover the marked drilling areas with masking tape so you don't wind up splintering the gelcoat/skincoat. You should still be able to see the markings through the masking tape. If not, tape first and mark on top of the tape.
 
Everything went well. I had my measurements checked by 3 other people before drilling. I did use the masking tape over the gelcoat and today I will finish up all the rear hoses and rams. The only issue I had was having to relocate the trim tab reservoir. I am looking forward to firing up the engine and purging the air out of the steering system hopefully Monday when the rain finally stops! Thanks guys for your input.
 
Congratulations Chris, I'm glad everything went well. Any pics of your installation? I know how you feel, this rain sucks! I haven't even got a chance to fire up yet. Still making the final connections on the new power. I should be good to go this week but 1st communions, baseball, soccer, graduations, wedding, work and everything else has me way behind. Just curious, where did you mount your resevoir? I'm trying to finish a clean installation and I'm thinking of fabricating a braket to mount to the head behind the steering pump, I don't want any hoses from the rear of the seat (the front of the motor). The shop installing the motor is considering mounting the resevoir on the transom. Anyone have any other ideas?
 
I am going to have to get extra hose and fittings to get my trim res. relocated. I finished the rest of the hoses and rams today. I may take a half a day out of work Monday to finish other stuff. I really want to have a boat this Memorial Day weekend. 4 days off on a lake without a boat is a drag!!! I don't have any pics yet. Maybe Monday.
 
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