Any of you Mechanical trim guys answer something for myself and Jay Smith

[BarryB]

I was working on a new slick way to use Jay Smith's trim indicator on a 2.5. I think his indicator is by far the best thing for the money out there[about 1/2 the price of most systems]. About 2 or 3 Scream and Fly message boards ago [which would be last year] someone was posting on a mechanical trim system that they also hooked up by a small clamp around the trim cylinder at the very top of the cylinder ram. The guy said he got this billet clamp from I believe a mercruiser dealer. We need a 2 piece narrow clamp that goes around the trim cylinder and gives us something to weld a tab to in order to hook the end of the trim cable to. Jay said he could make one when he had time but if something is all ready out there it may be cheaper and easier that starting from scratch. I have made one from just a narrow hose clamp and a L shaped bracket that runs the indicator very well but could look a little nicer. I have less that $150 total in the whole system and it has worked perfectly for close to a year now. If any one can help on finding out where i can get this clamp please relay it to myself or Jay please.

Thanks
Barry

[Edited by BarryB on 06-28-2001 at 06:28 PM]

[TD]

Couldn't you use a rifle scope ring? Dont know which one but it popped into my little brain when I read this. JAS
TD

[BarryB]

Maybe sounds possible if the diameter is right size.I will check.
Barry

[Techno]

Wouldn't a stainless U-bolt do it? The threaded end would hold a plate and could have acorn nuts on it, unless it doesn't clear the C.S

[gman]

HEY BARNEY, I BOUGHT ONE FROM STANLESS MARINE THAT CLAMPS TO TRIM CYLINDER,ITS A REAL NET DEAL.I HOOKED MINE TO A SENDING UNIT WITH THE CABLE SO I CULD USE MY TRIM GUAGE THAT HAS NEVER WORKED BEFORE, LATER G JAMES

[gman]

I MENT BARRY ,SORRY
G JAMES

[Jay Smith]

Barry,

Lookin in of my vender books last night and I found what we need if you can furnish me an exact diminsion OD of the shaft in question! It's like $8.00 out of alum. !

Jay @ JSRE

[gtsmpuc]

Depending on the size, my 3.0 is 3/4", go to a local motorcycle shop. If it is 1" go to a Harley shop. They will have all kinds of billet clamps for handlebars. If it is smaller go to a jap bike store.

[TD]

We made our suggestions public, why all the secrecy?
TD

[gman]

Barry
I told you the wrong maufacture,It was Bluewater marine
not stanless marine that makes the actuater that clamps around the trim cylinder
later, g james

[gtsmpuc]

I saw another post about it being and 1 1/4". If this is about this shaft the Harley store will also have clamps for these and 1.5" tubing(handlebar clamps)

[BarryB]

Is blue water still in business. A friend has one and I called the # on it last year and was out of order. That Harley shop idea may work too. Thanks guys. It is 1 1/4" diameter. I called stainless marine and they had nothing also.

[gtsmpuc]

Since I know the dimension's your best bet would be a billet cable clamp that mounts on a frame. They have many styles to choose from that fir 1 1/4" tubbing. The only thing you may have to design is a way to attach the trim cable. On my jack plate it has a ratchet and cable system. The cable has these crimp connectors on them that would work perfect.

[dennymac]

i got a ss spring loaded actuator that clamps around the trim ram...it's about as big around as a fat pencil...one end of a teleflex (shifting ?) cable threads right into the end of it...the beauty of it is you can't overtrim it and damage the trim unit...the spring loaded shaft follows the motor up to the end of it's travel, then the motor gets off of it...you clamp the actuator with one clamp made on it and i used another hose clamp on the top just for rigidity...on the other end at jay's indicator you have to make a small alteration....the gold metal jacket that the inner cable slides thru at the end has to be cut with a pair of tubing cutters..you cut it, without cutting the inner cable to about 1/2" to 3/4" long...this is the part that locks in jay's ind. with the allen screw...this leaves the inner cable sticking thru with plenty of room to spare...slide it thru the indicator portion of the gage, tighten with allen screws, and nip off the excess...the spring loaded ram assembly is for a mercruiser and i believe made by bluewater...it's so slick you can't believe it and it's completely hidden...you have to trim the motor up and crawl under it to see it...just the black cable coming up from the back of the boat...got the cable and actuator from Pearland Marine (281-485-4351)...owner Trey Appling, fellow hot boater, can get you the part # for the actuator and cable...also a good source for discount Merc parts to hot boaters ...feel free to call me if you want, it would probably be easier to explain on the phone...
dennis.. 281-479-5537