1BadAction
07-25-2018, 03:06 PM
I've gotten a few PMs from different people on this so figured I would share a few pics and notes on the build.
A few things need to happen to make a 12" ridgeback mid work on the hydraulic up/down-in/out clamp work. The center of the swivel area needs to be ground down a little bit to clear the front of the midsection, the bushing needs to be adapted and have the ID trimmed SLIGHTLY (Just a few rounds with a sander drum is enough to get the clearance you need) and the trim guides need to be ground on to get full down trim turning radius out of it. The adapting of the bushing can be done by pressing in the bushing of the new mid into the aluminum sleeve of the OLD mid, then trimming the top to clear. OR, you could have a 1pc bronze bushing custom cut, similar to what we have done to swap trim on to the pre-77 OMC midsections. I just made it work with what I had on hand.
It looks like I trimmed a lot from this but probably less than a 1/16", and there is more than enough meat there.
Contact! :(
https://i.imgur.com/DQUjvev.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/B5k5z4E.jpg
Starting to grind...
https://i.imgur.com/lG4fqPE.jpg
Little by little, fit and re-fit moving it through it's turning range to make sure it doesn't bind.
https://i.imgur.com/oZzpOD0.jpg
Grind these trim guides at an angle to get the proper amount of turn radius for your setup. It's nice to have a hard limit so your wingplates don't bash the boat at full lock. Since the wingplates ride above my rear deck I just ground them enough to match the turn radius of a 20" mid.
https://i.imgur.com/EcUMmjc.jpg
Merc rattle can paint, after it dried to the touch, I baked it in the oven on the warm setting to "cure" it and it comes out rock hard, just like stock. putting it in the hot sun for a day or two works also, but I did this when it was chilly out. You can sand and buff to fade it in and it'll look like nothing was ever done.
https://i.imgur.com/JsqQ77z.jpg
Finished product :thumbsup:
https://i.imgur.com/ljv2EOI.jpg
-4 trim hoses. Next time the powerhead was off I added another pair for the Hydraulic up/down function. Also went with electro hydraulic switches for diverting fluid flow so I can use ONE trim pump. Mercruiser pump and Redline D4 transmission fluid work very fast and leak free. :thumbsup:
https://i.imgur.com/LC7SoAk.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/H7CNNSw.jpg
A few things need to happen to make a 12" ridgeback mid work on the hydraulic up/down-in/out clamp work. The center of the swivel area needs to be ground down a little bit to clear the front of the midsection, the bushing needs to be adapted and have the ID trimmed SLIGHTLY (Just a few rounds with a sander drum is enough to get the clearance you need) and the trim guides need to be ground on to get full down trim turning radius out of it. The adapting of the bushing can be done by pressing in the bushing of the new mid into the aluminum sleeve of the OLD mid, then trimming the top to clear. OR, you could have a 1pc bronze bushing custom cut, similar to what we have done to swap trim on to the pre-77 OMC midsections. I just made it work with what I had on hand.
It looks like I trimmed a lot from this but probably less than a 1/16", and there is more than enough meat there.
Contact! :(
https://i.imgur.com/DQUjvev.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/B5k5z4E.jpg
Starting to grind...
https://i.imgur.com/lG4fqPE.jpg
Little by little, fit and re-fit moving it through it's turning range to make sure it doesn't bind.
https://i.imgur.com/oZzpOD0.jpg
Grind these trim guides at an angle to get the proper amount of turn radius for your setup. It's nice to have a hard limit so your wingplates don't bash the boat at full lock. Since the wingplates ride above my rear deck I just ground them enough to match the turn radius of a 20" mid.
https://i.imgur.com/EcUMmjc.jpg
Merc rattle can paint, after it dried to the touch, I baked it in the oven on the warm setting to "cure" it and it comes out rock hard, just like stock. putting it in the hot sun for a day or two works also, but I did this when it was chilly out. You can sand and buff to fade it in and it'll look like nothing was ever done.
https://i.imgur.com/JsqQ77z.jpg
Finished product :thumbsup:
https://i.imgur.com/ljv2EOI.jpg
-4 trim hoses. Next time the powerhead was off I added another pair for the Hydraulic up/down function. Also went with electro hydraulic switches for diverting fluid flow so I can use ONE trim pump. Mercruiser pump and Redline D4 transmission fluid work very fast and leak free. :thumbsup:
https://i.imgur.com/LC7SoAk.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/H7CNNSw.jpg