TOPIC: '89-'92 L-4 Power Trim with '71 1350

I see that there is some interest in using a later model PT on the older Mercs.
These systems are faster & tilt much higher that the old-school '70s era 4 hose, 2 ram, with the pump in the boat system.
A few of the early v6 Mercs use one that will easily retro-fit, but the '89-'92 L-3 & L-4 3 ram PT can be a struggle due to it being enticingly similar in appearance, but metric and just enough difference in bolt sizes, yoke width & width of the bolts through the upper mounts on the steering arm.
It all looks so tempting, but will really leave you scratching your head.
And,...Since the '89-'92 L-3 & L-4s are often found dead & on the ground - there are quite a few of the trim systems to be found cheap.
BUT,...
I discovered that you can use the late '60s thru '70s inline-6 or 650-4cyl or early 800-4cyl's steering shaft, cap-screws, & lower yoke by use of (2) custom bushings, and you are done.
The attached pictures are of a '71 DSH & related components fitted to a '92 100 hp L-4.
This DSH can be used under a '65-later 650-4cyl, early 800 4cyl, 1000, 1000ss, 950ss 1100ss, 1250, 1350 & first edition 1150.
See also that this L-4 is equipped with hydraulic steering, which also required a slight modification to the front area of the '71 era lower pan.
The attached pictures suggest the Merc is a '78 1150, but is actually a '71 1350.
The (2) bushings required are already on the market so there is no need to fabricate them.
Pretty cool IMHO
Doc F

Way Cool!

Once again, the Dr. has given his creation Life!!!!

The fact that you guys continue to unselfishly share your knowledge with us never ceases to amaze me. To the handful of True Experts who help guide us novices through the maze, a sincere heartfelt THANK YOU!

would something like this work on my 115 mariner.. not sure of year yet..thinking late 70's early 80's..

i would like to upgrade this to trim and tilt.. if that setup you posted will work for me,, exactly what would i be looking for..

as not being a mercury guy myself. could you explain this a little better to me.. no idea as to what L4 is..sorry.. what size motor would i be looking for to fint this trim and tilt assy. from. and what mounts will i need and where to find them..

Is there a way to identify the year/type of my PTT? Here is a pic and the serial number on the side is#08286333

Doc it looks just like the one you show in the pic at the start. Is it one of the metric ones?

Peter,
If your PT serial number is actually OB286333, then 'YES' your PT would have potentially been from an L-4.
What is different from my alteration is that in your case you used a steering shaft from something other than your 1000, because it didn't originally have a steering arm as the steering attached to the front of the lower pan.
I would be interested in knowing which parts you used to complete your alteration.
Vintagerunner,
"L-4" simply means inline-4 & your Mariner 115 would be referred to as either an inline-6 or an L-6.
In this case I was referencing the 100HP looper L-4 from the '89-'92 series 100 HP.
I'm pretty confident that this same series of PT could equally be as easy to install on your 115 as was the older 1350 L-6.
I'll do a step-by-step photo series of this process hopefully within the next month or so.
Doc

Hey Doc,
My L3 '93 90hp looper isn't on the ground haha!
Will be interesting to hear about those bushings, what a nice find...

thanks.. i cant wait to see the photo series of this swap.. i will be looking forward to doint the swap myself over the winter.. i need to rewire the whole engine it looks like.. many wires are just breaking off and dried out..

Hey Thom, to your question on what parts I used. I used the PTT as it was sold to me and I don't know what it came off of other than the guy said a 6-cylnder motor. I didn't change out the steering arm or anything. All I did to it was change out the fluid and paint it. As for the motor, I did was remove the reverse lock out rod and created a bushing to seal the hole. Everything else just bolted right up.

Peter,
In that case you must have scored a PT that was originally on an '84ish-'88 inline-6, which would not required the alterations needed when using the later model PT.
They look the same, but the later ones are metric and have differenxces that require use of the original steering are, yoke, & fancy bushings.
Thom

would a unit off of a 150 v6 work with this swap.. i have a line on 2 150's being parted out right now.. 1 is a 1996 150hp black max merc.. the other is a 1987 150 mariner ..would either of these work?????

this is the last weekend i will have a chance on either of these motors.. if these trim and tilt units will work for a swap on my motor...?????????????

Dr_Frankenmerc how about 96---60hp..just came by one of these at a good price if it would work..

In response to:
Dr_Frankenmerc how about 96---60hp..just came by one of these at a good price if it would work..
I'm sorry, but I can not answer that one.

However,...
I have made up a series of pictures with comments that will aid folks in doing the alteration originally suggested.
So-o-o-o,...Here we go!