Removing tiller, 1957 Elgin 30?

[davidk]

Anyone have experience setting up a 1957 Elgin 30hp for remote steering? I’m attempting to use this on a 1956 Herters Flying Fish. The tiller hits the port side fin. It folds back doesn’t look so good and but seems to me it will become a rain catcher. I started to disassemble the throttle but the deeper I go, the more complicated it gets leading me to wonder if it’s meant to be run without the tiller?

I believe the OMC’s of this size had a plan for removing the tiller arm for remote step, and even a cover for the point of attachment, right? I sure hope someone at West Bend had this thought through. I think this boat and motor were made for each other. I hope they can reconcile their differences.

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[davidk]

Another question…..I wonder what the original steering connector was like? I found this home made bracket in my parts pile and it may work but it’s aluminum and I’m worried about a potential failure.

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[jerry-ahrens]

David, I can’t answer your question, but that is a very cool rig! I’ve always wanted a big Elgin. They aren’t that common, at least around here. I’ll bet that motor has a ton of low end torque.

[dockbuster1]

May be its like a turkey wing or leg you jest twist until it snaps off

[davidk]

quote Callie30R:

May be its like a turkey wing or leg you jest twist until it snaps off

Maybe you’re pulling my leg? Or maybe you shouldn’t store your cookbooks in with your service manuals?

[frankr]

Do you have the remote control adapter kit? I don’t know about the 30, but if it is anything like the 12hp, it is quite different from anything else.

[davidk]

Wow, Frank, you are a treasure trove of information!

That’s quite a rig for adapting the 12 hp. I wonder who has a pile of those sitting on a dusty shelf somewhere? The 30hp comes with internal receivers for the cables. It’s an interesting setup. Pretty clever.

It’s helpful for me to see the illustration of the steering bracket. I wonder if there was a more rugged bracket for the 30?

[davidk]

quote Jerry Ahrens:

David, I can’t answer your question, but that is a very cool rig! I’ve always wanted a big Elgin. They aren’t that common, at least around here. I’ll bet that motor has a ton of low end torque.

Jerry, this is the only one I’ve seen. A very generous member, Gary Sonnenschein, had it in his collection and let it go because it’s such a perfect fit for this boat.

I don’t understand why these motors weren’t more popular? They were sold by Sears, "Where America Shops," (or used to). I love the color scheme and the styling of the motor. I restored a 12 hp a couple years ago. Heard a lot of taunting from club friends about it until I got it running. We were all impressed with what strong runners they are. I’m expecting the same from the 30.

So, where did all these motors go?

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