Imco and Latham interchangeability info needed.

[Krazymaan]

I finally found me a Latham ram and pin for my 20" offshore mid.
But I already bought an Imco wing plate a month ago.
can't they get along and work with each other, whats the big deal here. Its still winter in MN so I don't have time to go to storage and figure this out so i'm just asking the experienced.
Then what about the helm, do i need something better than my seastar with the front mounted horizontal ram.
I've seen normal helms and I've seen helms with some sort of tank thing. I don't remember if it has wires to it or not.
Then you have the hydraulic/oil fluid debate, whats a good fluid, I've heard that vinegar mixed with kosher salt to keep the air bubbles out works the best and it keeps the seals nice and swollen for a leak free operation. Yeah, Im just kidding about that. Probably some synthetic hydraulic fluid of some sort?
Hoses, that seems obvious unless you know something special.
Anything else I'm forgetting, Please let me know.
Greatly appreciated, Thanks

[Turborr]

The imco, marine machine wingplates are shaped different from the latham wing plate. It is a little hard to explain without seeing them, but the latham wing plate has an extended ear where the ram mounts to compared to the imco or marine machine. The latham steering setups ram kinda sticks out to the side of the tilt pin and the imco/marine comes back kind of straight. I am not sure if they are interchangable, but as long as the latham ram isnt too long, it might work.
Remember, if it doesnt work out and you want to sell the ram, you have to sell it with the tilt pin, because the tilt pins are not interchangable with any other ram.

Hope this helped a bit.

[Krazymaan]

thanks for the help. i ended up buying a latham plate for my latham ram. now i will never know the answer.