280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

[Ryanlewis2010]

Hi there guys i just bought a boat that has mercruiser 140 and 280 volvo leg on it can any one tell me what is involved on these is see it looks like they dont have impellers or a power trim feature just tilt how does this affect one. please any help is appreciated
thanks Ryan

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

You are correct, there is no impeller in the leg itself. Not sure about the chevy 4 cyl, but my aq225d, which is a chevy v8, has a seawater pump that runs off of the crank. Kinda like a PTO pump on a farm tractor. This pump is what draws the water from the leg, and supplies the circulation pump. As for the power trim, it is my understanding that power trim is a rare option on the AQ series. There is a manually adjusted trim skeg, under the exhaust outlet. I never messed with mine, not sure how effective it really is. Good luck!

 

[captmello]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

Personally I'd like to see some pics of your engine and outdrive. I've never seen the combo you have described. Yep, your impeller would be found on the engine on a volvo...

 

[billbayliner]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

The GM 4 was probably installed using the GM Volvo Penta V-8 flywheel cover.
In order for the GM 4 to work, it needs an engine mounted sea water pump.
The GM 4 exhaust will be Port side, the Volvo single exhaust down tube is Stdb side.
Is the install complete, or are you completing it?

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

bayliner is right on the hook up I will take pics tom when I pick it up

 

[Don S]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

Volvo didn't use the GM 3.0L engine until 94. Lots of people think because it's a 4 cylinder, it must be the GM 3.0L when in fact, Volvo used their own 4 cylinder OHV engine called the AQ130 between 68 and 77.
Here is the newest (75-77 model) http://vppneuapps.volvo.com/ww/PIE/...=T416&d=Product Bulletins&s=414970&lang=en-GB

PS, May take a bit to download, Volvo has the slowest server known to man.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

OK I'll download when I get home but it has a merc 140 valve cover at least but I'll take closer look tomorrow maybe have it on the water by Sunday so if I have power tilt that is different from trim right?

 

[billbayliner]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

The Merc 120 and 140 are both GM 3.0L 4 cylinder motors I believe.
The exhaust and intake will be Port side and the valve cover on the older ones will look like this.
Ignition will be Stbd side.

The Volvo transom shield and exhaust tube are set up for Stbd side exhaust.

Here is the Volvo OHV push rod motor

and the Volvo OHC 4 cylinder motor

Both are Stbd side exhaust.
Intake and Ignition will be Port side.
The 3.0L exhaust might be a problem and is why I asked if the install was complete or not.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

ya install is complete and as far as i can tell while not looking at it right now is that its definitely a 140 with all parts hooked up including the external water pump mounted to the block crank driven

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

If I were to guess, who every Dr. Frankenstein was, he probably used a set of V8 exhaust tubes, and blocked off the starboard side pipe.

Of course pictures are worth you know what.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

well boat is here im going to go take pictures in like 10 mins

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

here are those pics

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

Uhh... Hmmm...

Any chance you can get the camera closer to the down tube for the exhaust? That doesn't look standard issue VP.....

 

[Don S]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

Uhh... Hmmm...

Any chance you can get the camera closer to the down tube for the exhaust? That doesn't look standard issue VP.....

Nothings going to be "Standard issue", he still has a Volvo 250 or 270, outdrive and transom shield (not a 280 or 285) that his Mercruiser engine is hooked too.

 

[billbayliner]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

The large diameter spindle arm and steering fork and the wider drive bumper, says 275 or 280 transom shield.
The upper might be 275 or 280, but for sure not a 250. The lower might me 275 with how the exhaust outlet is further back. Can't see if the spinner has the locking bolt but if it does, then it's a 275.
The sea water pump looks like a Sherwood.
There would be several ways to connect the exhaust and most likely a modified Y pipe or an early short Y manifold blocked off on Stbd side. Pictures don't show it very good.
It looks like an Eaton, Donzi or Holman Moody PDS adapter since it extends the motor forward.
Probably nothing wrong with the set up it's just out of the ordinary to see this.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

Thats what i thought but good news is i got all the invoices done on this boat dating all the way back to 4/26/05 some very promising things like that there is a fresh transom install brand new seal kit with only 10hrs on it bellows are new but will be replaced do to sitting in fl sun and that it seems to run i havent tried to run it yet but if it doesnt run idc cus ill put my rebuilt 140 in there that i know runs. ill get better pics tomorrow after work

EDIT:
so just to be clear this is only a power tilt right just tilt all the way down and go ? what about if i wanted to beach would it be alright to tilt up just enough to clear sand?

 

[Don S]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

Yes, power tilt only, no trim.
You can raise the drive for beaching, but if you give it much power, it will push the drive back down. Just don't put it in reverse when partially tilted up. The drive will kick up higher because the reverse lock down isn't locked and it can damage things if it kicks up to high.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

thanks don life saver now I'm gonna pick up some gas and and try to get on the lake

 

[Don S]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

You actually have a pretty nice setup there. The old 270/275 drives are great drives, much better than any of the older mercruser drives. The engine is better than the Volvo 4 cylinder engines due to HP and parts cost to fix them. The parts are just plain expensive.
You do have some things that you should be looking at since it's a new boat to you, that you really don't want to fail on you, or you could be looking at pulling the engine out to fix it. Easy repairs, just things that get overlooked until things start making noises.
Good luck on your test run.

 

[etracer68]

Re: 280 legs does and donts? 1975 chriscraft

As Don said, the drive has to be all the way down, and locked for reverse, or it will kick up. And NEVER put any power (other then idle) in forword if the drive is tilted. The locking dogs sometimes fall out of ajustment, and or get worn, and dont lock. The parts for the tilt are exspensive, but you can find good used stuff on ebay, but still pricey. I had a 270 on a bayliner, and it was a good drive, but I sold the boat, because I want power tilt and trim.