Contact West Marine with part #18-2142. Hydraulic ram. They have a close out @$51.42. Normally these rams cost over $300.00.
The “O” ring repair kits are very hard to find as they are NLA.
This is a killer deal and If they have them you better jump on it now!
The lines close to the stern should be the high pressure for up. The rams are not left and right, always the most forward port on the rams is for the up circuit.
Do not look for any type of release valve.
If you had a pressure gauge that goes up to 1000 lbs you could test the down circuit...
As Scott06 posted about standing on he drive to see if that helps to bring the drive down. There is up to 3000 lbs of pressure to raise the drive and only 7-800 lbs on the down circuit. The packing inside of the end of the rams get a build up of crud that most times restricts the down...
I prefer going through the bottom of the boat with a shut off valve. While a transom mounted pickup will work it just adds another rooster tail. Whichever one you do be sure to let water cycle through the drive to keep it cool by leaving the hose off that transfers water through the transom plate.
With a timing light check that the marks hold steady. I bet that they will not because the bushing above the oil pump is worn out and the rortor shaft is wobbling around.
All 4 cylinder engines have what feels like “blow by” but it is really the result of the pumping action of pistons pushing air from the crankcase which is normal. With real “blow by” from worn or stuck rings there will be oil all over the top of the valve cover along with white smoke.
The double ball bearing and seals can be purchased from a bearing warehouse. Google Berkeley Jet drive and you will see that the parts are the same. Berkeley made several models but the internals are the same.
Try to get a service manual from Volvo.
Models after the one you have eliminated the reverse lock valve and added an extra ball and spring in the valve block. This was adjustable but very critical, it had to be adjusted with the Mercruiser test kit.
Since you mentioned some balls falling out the valve it will most probably leak.
On...
On the bottom of the old style pump the brass elbow is 1/8” NPT, remove it and get a 1/8”NPT male to 3/16” inverted flare so that you can connect the low pressure “down” hose to the pump. The other port is the “up” high pressure side. This will work but since there was reverse lock valve you...
Since the trim block on your gimbal housing is 3/16” female. Remove the block and make up 2 steel 3/16” lines about 6” long with a 3/16” flare nuts on both ends that will screw into the trim block. Or 2 mercruiser stainless braided lines like the ones that attach to the rams. With 2 1/4”...
The genuine Mercruiser ones are the best in my opinion. Whenever I had to use the other ones I always wrapped a bungee cord around the flushout just to make sure it would not slip down and burn up the pump. I learned that the hard way.
To replace the bushing/seal you will need to replace the shift lever because the screw will not come out, you will need to break the lever.
Sierra # 18-2161. Lever
# 45518A3. Set screw
Mercruiser # 18-2170. Lever
# 10-8M0084649 set screw
