TOPIC: Switch to hydraulic steering on outboard?

My backyard project boat is a '65 17' White Canoe Co. runabout that had a '72 85hp Johnson on it...the motor is now gone and I need to re-power the boat. Steering for that motor was the cable/pulley system that winds up at the steering wheel housing behind the dash...I'm currently looking on ebay for a similar motor(mid/late '70's V4) and finding that most are equipped with hydraulic steering. If I go that route is it do-able? Will I have to get a new steering wheel or can I still use the original?

www.iboats.com/Boat-Steering-Systems/dm/cart_id.825680555--session_id.299987038--view_id.217122

www.wholesalemarine.com/c/420003/Steering+Systems.html

I think you'll find that either a rack or rotary style cable system much more reasonable than the hydraulic type. Also more common, both links above as well as many others offer several options. You will need to order a complete (?) kit, so it's possible but doubtful that your old wheel will fit. Most newer systems use a 3/4" taper shaft mount, not sure about the old pulley/cable systems. The older Merc Ride-Guide rack systems used a square taper. Hope this helps.....

As Mark noted, it's not a hydraulic system you'll be looking for, but rather a cable system that runs through the tilt tube. I used Teleflex rack systems in my boats, but some rigs have smaller areas behind the dash, in which case a rotary system would be needed. Hydraulic systems are generally used in high performance applications or where running a cable isn't easily done.

Appreciate the help...thanks! That's a great pic by the way! I can hear it now...

Thanks chinewalker...I will check out the 2 links Mark posted and will let you know how it goes.