AQ255B/280pt to SX-A/DPS-A swap

[floorboy]

Thinking about updating my drive, I found a pretty good deal on a complete package (transom shield, inner shield, bell housing, exhaust, and drive. Need to redo the transom anyway so I can cut the hole whatever size I want. Is the sx-a a decent option? I would like a d.prop eventually but I am sure the sx would make quite a bit of difference, I hate the performance and prop selection of the 280. Any points good or bad about the sx would be appreciated. Can I hook it up to a two piece rear seal motor with just a different coupler? Thanks

 

[floorboy]

Re: AQ255B/280pt to SX-A/DPS-A swap

Ok thanks

 

[captmello]

Re: AQ255B/280pt to SX-A/DPS-A swap

If you want to change your drivetrain, go ahead. I don't think you'll notice much performance difference.

Sounds expensive.

 

[floorboy]

Re: AQ255B/280pt to SX-A/DPS-A swap

I am tired of fixing it, bring stranded 15 miles out on Lake Michigan, and looking for parts for a 33 year old unit. It has cost me a couple thousand already in the last two years, money which would have went a long ways towards a new drive. I am not trading the boat for any amount of money and short of sinking it I will have it for a long time. The feedback was (is) soooooooo bad on the steering I had to put hydraulic on it last year or I simply wouldn't be able to turn one direction. Now the helmet bolts are breaking (I imagine because of the feedback not soooo noticeable now, and BTW is a PILE of fun when you are on plane) the cone clutch just went out of it and........... well it's 33 years old. I am mechanically inclined, I have most of the tools and a place to get it done. I realize What I have is spose to be a pretty good drive but my old cobra would run circles around it with a smaller motor. I will take the gamble I guess since nobody knows anything good or bad about what I am considering. Thanks :facepalm: Floorboy out.

 

[HorizonblueDK]

Re: AQ255B/280pt to SX-A/DPS-A swap

The 280 outdrive isn't that bad, but off course it depends on how it has been treated the last 30 years.

It has it's downsides, the steering system with the helmet-thing outside the boat isn't the strongest in the world. On a 17 feet runanbout it will work fine, but on a 25 feet flybridge boat, it will be under stress.

One other thing about the older aquamatic drives, is that they make noise when turning to port or starboard. I believe that the placement of the spline connection(close to the U joints) is the reason for this. My old 290 sterndrive, even with fine splines and new U joints made noise.

I would say, GO, install the SX drive. It has a strong suspension, doesn't make noise when turning, powersteering, easy mounting and removal of the outdrive(no bellhousing gasket like Mercruiser) wide selection of propellers.

I have replaced my 290 outdrive with an SX. When I bought the outdrive, there was an adaptorplate included, so I used that one, instead of redoing the transom, which is in perfect shape.





I'm not quite shure that you can hook up the 2 piece rear seal engine to any original Volvo SX coupler. Something tells me that the bolt pattern on the crank shaft has been changed, from 2 piece to 1 piece engines and SX drives has only been used with 1 piece engines. But maybe you can just make oblong holes in the coupler and make it work anyway.

An OMC Cobra Coupler fits the SX driveshaft, but as far as I know, there was never a 2 piece motor coupled to a Cobra outdrive.