'76 170 Jack Plate - Steering Cable Troubleshoot

[boatnamesue]

Rickk, Bob, Wing...def like to hear your thoughts

My hull is in original layout w/manual steering.  I'd really like to install a hydro jack plate w/4" setback.  The issue I'm picturing is when the engine raises so does the steering cable (along w/engine harnesses, fuel hose, etc).  And this cable runs in the starboard trough w/removable deck lid.  So as the engine and cable go up its gonna lift open the lid...then on way down the lid will not close flush w/deck.  Am I correct?

If so, I reckon this means only way I'm installing a jack plate is if I run all engine to console connections under the deck??

[RickK]

Jack plates don't usually have that much travel so this is not an issue - I guess some could have 8 " or so. I forget what mine has. The bigger thing is that the steering cable is usually in front of the transom and your moving it behind the transom 4". The length of the cable may not be long enough now. Mine has hydraulic steering, which brings other problems when used on a jack plate.

[hudsport]

i would suggest going with hyd steering if your doing a jack plate on my 1990 170 I had to it was binding the steering cable too much with my 4" atlas jack plate, solved the problem for me.

[wingtime]

I have a manual jackplate on my 170. Back when I was upgrading my steering I looked into hydraulic. Unfortunately it would not work since the cylinder would have been right on top  of the transom and would have hit the transom notch. Maybe a jackplate with more setback would work. I ended up  going with a NFB helm. Since my jackplate is basically  fixed up and down flex of the cable is a non issue.