cobras281
New Member
yup its the 7.4 L29 version the 310hp engine. the Mag has a single plastic cover on top not two spilt. I have the same engine. here is a link https://www.perfprotech.com/blog/bo...gnum-mpi-vs-mercruiser-l29-454-marine-engines
1999 Sundance 290 with single 7.4
- Thread starter Timothy Berlinski
- Start date
Getaway
Well-Known Member
- Oct 13, 2010
- 1,077
- Boat Info
- 1998 290DA Sundancer
Lowrance electronics, Fishhawk, Scotty Downriggers
BoatWheels Tri-Axle Trailer
- Engines
- Single big block 454 MPI Mercruiser engine and Bravo III outdrive.
Anybody replace the steering cable on one of these yet? Mine is pretty "stiff" and in need of replacement. It's to the point, the autopilot won't work right.
Anyways, Teleflex= good?
Anyways, Teleflex= good?
Joakim Arnesson
Member
- Jun 24, 2019
- 51
- Boat Info
- Sea Ray 290 - 1999
- Engines
- 8,1 Volvo Penta - 2011
I did, like a new boat afterwards.. However had to change the cable and the steering unit at the helm.
A pain but no regrets!
A pain but no regrets!
Getaway
Well-Known Member
- Oct 13, 2010
- 1,077
- Boat Info
- 1998 290DA Sundancer
Lowrance electronics, Fishhawk, Scotty Downriggers
BoatWheels Tri-Axle Trailer
- Engines
- Single big block 454 MPI Mercruiser engine and Bravo III outdrive.
Been struggling through this cable/helm change for about 3 weeks. What a PITA! Yesterday I found out, Teleflex (SeaStar) still makes the "old style" steering cable with the older style (smaller) rack and bolt pattern. Took all the newer stuff back out, sent it back and the direct replacement stuff should be here by Monday. Ugh. This looked like an easy job at first but upgrading to the larger rack was not working very well with my tilt steering setup.
Stay tuned.....
Other upgrades for 2020:
Custom drop curtain (straight hanging canvas that attaches to sunshade off back of arch and snaps to floor.)
LED's everywhere
New Fresh water pump (4GPM) - Kick ass
Got rid of rear faucet and added rear deck washdown hose that gets stored under the cabinet.
Sealing rear trunk
Re-Sealed all transom hardware
Added Fish Hawk
New Trailer Winch
New Class V truck hitch
Thats enough $$ for this year.
Stay tuned.....
Other upgrades for 2020:
Custom drop curtain (straight hanging canvas that attaches to sunshade off back of arch and snaps to floor.)
LED's everywhere
New Fresh water pump (4GPM) - Kick ass
Got rid of rear faucet and added rear deck washdown hose that gets stored under the cabinet.
Sealing rear trunk
Re-Sealed all transom hardware
Added Fish Hawk
New Trailer Winch
New Class V truck hitch
Thats enough $$ for this year.
Excited to announce my project for the next few weeks, I've got a 97.5 290 and I'll be swapping my old 454 for a much newer 496HO; almost 40% more HP.
Sea trials will give me final guidance and reviews, but trying to decide whether to change drive gearing (and go to B3X) or new props. Open to inputs.
Sea trials will give me final guidance and reviews, but trying to decide whether to change drive gearing (and go to B3X) or new props. Open to inputs.
AFD
Active Member
- Jul 29, 2012
- 1,250
- Boat Info
- 1997 Sundancer 290 The fat beam version
- Engines
- twins.
Starboard 5.0 alpha 220HP
Port 357 alpha 275hp
4HP Yamaha for Dinghy
Have you ever weighed your boat on the trailer? I'm curious as the factory says its 10,500 dry but everyone here seems to think its 13,000 -14,000...I just bought a trailer and I'm curious how to set it up, it's going to be a long day loading, unloading at the ramp. Better do it on a monday morning in the rain so i have all the ramp to myselfBeen struggling through this cable/helm change for about 3 weeks. What a PITA! Yesterday I found out, Teleflex (SeaStar) still makes the "old style" steering cable with the older style (smaller) rack and bolt pattern. Took all the newer stuff back out, sent it back and the direct replacement stuff should be here by Monday. Ugh. This looked like an easy job at first but upgrading to the larger rack was not working very well with my tilt steering setup.
Stay tuned.....
Other upgrades for 2020:
Custom drop curtain (straight hanging canvas that attaches to sunshade off back of arch and snaps to floor.)
LED's everywhere
New Fresh water pump (4GPM) - Kick ass
Got rid of rear faucet and added rear deck washdown hose that gets stored under the cabinet.
Sealing rear trunk
Re-Sealed all transom hardware
Added Fish Hawk
New Trailer Winch
New Class V truck hitch
Thats enough $$ for this year.
Getaway
Well-Known Member
- Oct 13, 2010
- 1,077
- Boat Info
- 1998 290DA Sundancer
Lowrance electronics, Fishhawk, Scotty Downriggers
BoatWheels Tri-Axle Trailer
- Engines
- Single big block 454 MPI Mercruiser engine and Bravo III outdrive.
These things load and unload fairly easily with a good trailer. If you have done a lot of trailering, the 290 won't be a big deal at all. Just a little more weight and beam. Mine mainly lives on the trailer and I drop it in quite often for day excursions.
I have not weighed the 290 yet, however, my old 268 on the steel trailer tipped the scales at 9675 lbs (zero fuel/water/gear). I can tell by towing it that the 290 is heavier but not hugely. I'm guessing, trailer and all, probably around 12K give or take.
JWindom17
New Member
Been struggling through this cable/helm change for about 3 weeks. What a PITA! Yesterday I found out, Teleflex (SeaStar) still makes the "old style" steering cable with the older style (smaller) rack and bolt pattern. Took all the newer stuff back out, sent it back and the direct replacement stuff should be here by Monday. Ugh. This looked like an easy job at first but upgrading to the larger rack was not working very well with my tilt steering setup.
Stay tuned.....
Other upgrades for 2020:
Custom drop curtain (straight hanging canvas that attaches to sunshade off back of arch and snaps to floor.)
LED's everywhere
New Fresh water pump (4GPM) - Kick ass
Got rid of rear faucet and added rear deck washdown hose that gets stored under the cabinet.
Sealing rear trunk
Re-Sealed all transom hardware
Added Fish Hawk
New Trailer Winch
New Class V truck hitch
Thats enough $$ for this year.
JWindom17
New Member
I am planning to replace my steering cable soon. I also have the tilt steering wheel that I would like to keep.
Where did you purchase the new cable? Direct from Sea Star?
Also for my model 260, I am planning on cutting a new hole in the engine compartment bulkhead for the new cable. Digging out the factory installed “pile” of RTV looks to be tough. I will just cut the old cable on both sides of the bulkhead and leave it in place.
How did you route your new cable? Also do you have any lessons learned advice?
Thanks
Where did you purchase the new cable? Direct from Sea Star?
Also for my model 260, I am planning on cutting a new hole in the engine compartment bulkhead for the new cable. Digging out the factory installed “pile” of RTV looks to be tough. I will just cut the old cable on both sides of the bulkhead and leave it in place.
How did you route your new cable? Also do you have any lessons learned advice?
Thanks
Getaway
Well-Known Member
- Oct 13, 2010
- 1,077
- Boat Info
- 1998 290DA Sundancer
Lowrance electronics, Fishhawk, Scotty Downriggers
BoatWheels Tri-Axle Trailer
- Engines
- Single big block 454 MPI Mercruiser engine and Bravo III outdrive.
My advice is to remove the old cable, take it to a GOOD local marina and have them order the replacement cable.
Your boat is newer than mine so you may already have the newer end that mounts to the pinion gear housing behind the dash. The older style is still available, but I could not find it on-line. My local marina had an inside line on the older version and he found one for me.
I had to send the parts I bought online back and that can be a PITA.
There is a Sea Star part number on your old cable, so you may be able to just order the correct one using that number.
Lessons learned:
1. Plan to pull the old cable up through the helm end. It's almost impossible to pull it through the other direction.
2. Tie a fish wire to the drive end before pulling the old cable so you can leave a guide wire to guide the new wire back into position. I see you want to reroute the new wire. I'm still not exactly sure why, but if so, ignore lesson #2.
3. Make sure the new cable has the correct ends before fishing it through the gunnels and tearing up your arms in the process. It really sucks to do that twice or three times....Don't ask me why I know..
That's all I can think of at this time. Have fun!
Your boat is newer than mine so you may already have the newer end that mounts to the pinion gear housing behind the dash. The older style is still available, but I could not find it on-line. My local marina had an inside line on the older version and he found one for me.
I had to send the parts I bought online back and that can be a PITA.
There is a Sea Star part number on your old cable, so you may be able to just order the correct one using that number.
Lessons learned:
1. Plan to pull the old cable up through the helm end. It's almost impossible to pull it through the other direction.
2. Tie a fish wire to the drive end before pulling the old cable so you can leave a guide wire to guide the new wire back into position. I see you want to reroute the new wire. I'm still not exactly sure why, but if so, ignore lesson #2.
3. Make sure the new cable has the correct ends before fishing it through the gunnels and tearing up your arms in the process. It really sucks to do that twice or three times....Don't ask me why I know..
That's all I can think of at this time. Have fun!
JWindom17
New Member
Captain Getaway,
Thanks for the quick reply.
On my 260 model, I removed the glove box at the helm station to gain a view of the steering cable factory routing. See pictures below.
The steering cable along with shift and throttle cables are routed in upper box area of the starboard gunnel. These cables are sealed (Black sealant) at the engine bulkhead wall above lower electrical cable bulkhead seal (White sealant) penetration which is accessible from engine compartment. From the removed glove box opening I can see both the upper and lower cable penetrations sealed areas. BUT both of the sealed penetration seals are beyond arm reach from the glove box opening.
I previously installed a Garmin depth/gps cable from stern transducer mount to helm station by drilling new hole thru the bulkhead adjacent to lower white sealed area from the engine compartment side. I used an electrician steel tape to thread the new Transducer cable thru the new hole in the bulkhead to helm station.
Thus, I think I can route the new steering cable by using similar method. My local marine mechanic gave me the idea of leaving the old cable in the boat.
I will measure the new new cable routing length to make sure it is long enough. Also, will used the original cable markings for length too. Using the most important advice you gave me, I will take the old cable with my measurements to my local Mercury dealer to order the new cable.
This will be a winter project and I will let you know how it turns out.
Thanks,
Jim
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