Buckshot Racing #77 350 HP and 700 HP Hydraulic Steering Kit Installation Guide
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The Buckshot Racing #77 350 HP and 700 HP Hydraulic Steering Kits are built for outboard owners, racers, performance boat builders, and marine installers who need strong, smooth, dependable steering control.
A hydraulic steering system replaces mechanical cable steering with a helm pump, hydraulic hoses, and one or more steering cylinders. When the steering wheel is turned, the helm pump moves hydraulic oil through the hoses and shifts the steering cylinder, which moves the outboard from port to starboard.
Correct installation is critical. Hydraulic steering controls the direction of the boat, so every fitting, hose, cylinder fastener, helm mount, bleed screw, spacer, washer, and steering connection must be installed correctly.
This Buckshot Racing #77 tech guide explains the major installation points for both the 350 HP and 700 HP hydraulic steering systems.
350 HP Hydraulic Steering Kit Overview
The 350 HP hydraulic steering kit is commonly used for single outboard applications where one helm pump controls one front-mount steering cylinder. This setup is ideal for many performance boats, bass boats, flats boats, lake boats, fishing boats, and single-engine outboard rigs that need clean, reliable hydraulic steering with reduced steering effort.
The system uses a helm pump, steering cylinder, hydraulic hoses, fittings, fluid, and mounting hardware. The steering cylinder mounts at the engine tilt tube area and connects to the engine steering arm. Before final assembly, the cylinder should be centered, the engine should be positioned straight, and the steering arm should be square to the transom.
700 HP Hydraulic Steering Kit Overview
The 700 HP hydraulic steering kit should be understood as the higher-capacity steering option. It may be used on applications where horsepower, hull speed, engine torque, steering load, setback, surfacing propeller operation, or race use requires additional steering capacity and control.
Twin-engine applications are one common reason to use a higher-capacity steering system, but the correct kit should always be selected based on the actual boat setup, horsepower, steering load, engine configuration, cylinder arrangement, and intended use.
High-performance single-engine boats can also create serious steering loads, especially with high horsepower, large setback, elevated engine height, and surfacing props.
Before Installation
Before installing any hydraulic steering kit, confirm that the system matches the engine horsepower, engine count, transom layout, splashwell clearance, cylinder style, hose length, helm pump, and steering load.
Inspect the boat before drilling or mounting anything. The dash must have enough room for the helm pump and fittings, and the splashwell must allow the engine to steer fully and tilt fully without the cylinder, hoses, fittings, or hardware contacting the boat.
Helm Pump Installation
The helm pump mounts at the dash and becomes the control unit for the steering system. Cut the dash opening to the required size, mark and drill the mounting holes, install the helm pump into the panel, and secure it with the supplied mounting hardware.
The steering wheel should only be installed after confirming that the wheel fits the helm shaft, keyway, and taper correctly.
Hydraulic fittings must be installed cleanly and tightened properly. Do not cross-thread, over-tighten, or contaminate hydraulic fittings. If thread sealant is required, use the correct type and keep sealant out of the hydraulic system.
Steering Cylinder Installation
The steering cylinder mounts at the outboard tilt tube and steering arm area. Start by centering the cylinder rod and positioning the engine straight. The support rod should be greased with marine grease before installation to help prevent corrosion. The cylinder plate connects to the engine steering arm using the correct bolt, washer, and locking hardware.
Correct spacing is critical. The washers, spacer rings, support rod, adjustment nut, and steering arms must be installed so the cylinder is not side-loaded or binding. The steering should move evenly from side to side, and the engine should reach full travel without interference.
Hose Routing
Hydraulic hoses must be routed cleanly with no kinks, twists, sharp bends, stretching, or rubbing. Keep hoses away from steering linkage, jack plates, cowling edges, exhaust heat, sharp fiberglass, and moving parts. Leave enough service loop for full steering and full engine tilt movement, but do not leave hoses loose where they can chafe or whip.
On higher-capacity 700 HP installations, hose routing and clearance checks are even more important because the steering system may be exposed to heavier loads and more aggressive boat movement.
Filling and Bleeding
Hydraulic steering must be filled and bled completely before use. The system should be filled with the specified hydraulic fluid, and the helm reservoir must be kept full during bleeding. Turn the steering wheel slowly while opening the bleeders in sequence until a clean, steady stream of air-free oil comes out.
Do not spin the steering wheel quickly during bleeding. Turning the wheel too fast can foam the oil, trap air in the system, and create spongy or inconsistent steering. If the oil becomes foamy, allow the system to sit before continuing.
Post-Installation Testing
After installation and bleeding, inspect the helm, hoses, fittings, cylinder, bleeders, and connections for leaks. Turn the wheel from full port to full starboard and verify smooth steering in both directions. Count wheel turns both ways and confirm that steering travel is even.
Tilt the engine through its full range and check for interference. The cylinder, hoses, fittings, support rod, steering arms, and related hardware must not contact the transom, splashwell, jack plate, cowling, or rigging. If anything touches, binds, stretches, or interferes, stop and correct the installation before operating the boat.
Maintenance and Safety Checks
Hydraulic steering should be inspected regularly. Check for leaks, loose fittings, damaged hoses, steering play, corrosion, worn hardware, low fluid level, and changes in steering feel.
Keep exposed steering hardware clean and lubricated where appropriate. Any sudden change in steering effort, wheel response, fluid level, or engine movement should be inspected immediately.
Never operate the boat with visible steering leaks, kinked hoses, loose hardware, air in the system, damaged fittings, or steering interference. Hydraulic steering is a critical safety system. If the installer is not experienced with marine hydraulic steering, the installation should be nspected by a qualified marine technician.
Buckshot Racing #77 Final Tech Note
The Buckshot Racing #77 350 HP and 700 HP Hydraulic Steering Kits are designed to deliver strong, clean, high-performance steering control when installed correctly.
The 350 HP kit is a proven choice for many single-engine applications, while the 700 HP kit is the higher-capacity option for heavier steering loads, higher horsepower, more aggressive setups, and demanding performance use.
Take the time to measure carefully, route hoses correctly, bleed the system fully, and verify full steering and tilt movement before running the boat.
Download the PDF Instruction Guide Here:
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