Thanks for revisiting this guys.
Thanks for the Teleflex offer, Fred. Lets see if we can work this out. Seems so dang simple.
You may notice that the steering link rod is in the forward hole of the engine steering arm - I'm aware of that, and did that to gain a another half inch or so. I'll move it where it belongs.
Here are some pics of what is occurring:
Here are some parts diagrams of the rotary rack, they can be zoomed in on by clicking the + sign:
http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury_parts/1992/290.cfm
http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury_parts/1992/70.cfm
Any thought on correcting this precarious steering situation. Thanks.