Can I use my other engines power steering pump?

[dane174]

Hey Everyone
My 1996 330 with twin 7.4 Merc outdrives is set up to use the starboard engine to pump to the power steering. There is a complete power steering pump on the port that seems to be plumbed into the steering unit but has no belt. Can I simply move the belt over to the port power steering pump? I fish while running only one engine and would like to even out the engine hours. It would also be nice to know in case of starboard engine failure. Thanks for any input

 

[bobeast]

That pump has set there for 20+ years (Im assuming) without spinning. I'd be concerned about how dried out the seals might be and what shape the bearings might be in. You might consider a rebuild before relying too heavily on it.

 

[scoflaw]

It spins

 

[ASH]

All of them I have been around the power steering hoses on the engine not used are hooked to each other on the back side above the bell housing. I doubt putting a belt on it will get you anywhere.

 

[bobeast]

It spins

ah. gotcha. I took "has no belt" to mean it had just sat there gathering dust. Probably fine then.

 

[scoflaw]

ah. gotcha. I took "has no belt" to mean it had just sat there gathering dust. Probably fine then.

IT's got a pulley so the same size belt works, and it goes round and round . Never investigated past that point what the deal is with it.

 

[GaryQ]

I have a similar situation with my 320. I talked to several Tech's including a Mercruiser (supposed) expert.
The net result is that you can use the other steering pump........but you must disconnect the starboard side and connect hoses from the port engine to the steering actuator. You then must create a loop with the hoses on the starboard engine so the fluid does not get pumped into the bilge. The hoses on the port engine are not long enough to reach the actuator, so must be lengthened. Keep in mind that there is also a Power Steering Cooler plumbed into the system. If I recall, it is after the Actuator. I planned on using the change process only as a Get Home if I lost my starboard engine. It happened a few months ago, and it is a real pain trying to navigate with no steering. Fortunately I have a bow thruster and was able to limp to a dock and make emergency repairs on my engine to get home.

Anyway, it can be done, but is not as simple as it first appears. I still plan to so it, but it has slipped down on my priority list. By the way, my boat steers from the Starboard engine.

 

[scoflaw]

Just swap pumps, why wouldn't that work ?

 

[JVM225]

Just swap pumps, why wouldn't that work ?

That’s what I was thinking too.

 

[Espos4]

That’s what I was thinking too.

It’s not about the pump, the OP wants to even out the engine hours due to only using 1 engine while fishing.

 

[scoflaw]

My bad on the spinning part, OP doesn't have a serpentine belt