[Public-list] Tiller head - new question?

[Michael Connolly]

Dave,
My tiller head fitting was replaced by the previous owner with an Edson part.  The mating fitting on the wooden tiller was not replaced and fit together with the Edson tiller head just fine.  Even though the inside diameter matched the rudder stock there was something different about the Edson part from the original.  If I remember correctly the Edson part had the keyway machined on the forward side of the casting and on the original casting it was on the aft side.  The marina had to cut a new keyway into the existing rudder stock to receive the key for the Edson fitting. 
 
The Edson fitting should be chrome plated bronze and come with a bronze machine bolt.  If not purchase a bronze bolt for the pinch bolt.  The hinge bolt that attaches the tiller fitting to the tiller head fitting could be stainless.
 
Michael

Dave Terrell <DTERRELL at message.nmc.edu> wrote:
The tiller head is off - thanks to your good advice. Here is what I
found

1. the diameter of the rudder post is 1 inch. I have a liner boat but
would assume the earlier boats have the same size rudder post. Any
problems with this idea? I am thinking of Ed's question here.

2. There were no allen head screws on the tiller head. There was a
slot that ran down the back of the tiller head which I found with a
mirror. I put a small screwdriver in the slot and tapped a few times and
the head came out with no pressure. From what I found and the feeback I
got I think the bolt that held the head on the rudder post is a "pinch
bolt." I also found that this bolt could not tighten the tiller head
fully because a previous owner had installed a hex head stainless steel
bolt that hung up on the side the tiller head and did not allow the
maximum amount of pinching. I thought monentarily that maybe the tiller
head and ears could be saved but not so. See # 3 below. This head type
may have been one of Whitby's 1970 improvements. Do not know on this.

3. The hole where bolt goes through was all wallowed out - maybe
because of the stainless steel bolt that went through the "ears" had put
a lot of pressure on it over the years. As I see it that puts me in the
market for a new tiller head and ears.

New questions

1. What is the best matrial for the bolts on the new tiller head and
"ears" should Edson not provide them. My guess is they wiill, but ...?

2. The tiller post moves very, very, very slightly when pushed. Almost
nothing. Do I have a new problem and if so what? and what remendy?

This process made me think there is some hope for me as a mechanic -
nontheless, though I am not looking for new problems,I think it is
important check out all options.

Standing by. Thanks again for the help.

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