Chrysler 318 bellhousing for Volvo 270

[Glassparman]

OK, been off the site here since about 2011 because my job was so demanding. Finally back around to working my project.

I have a brand new from the rebuild shop, Chrysler 318 and all the gear to put back in a boat. I also have a complete Volvo 270 that was married to a Chevy engine. The outdrive has the Chevy bellhousing but I need the Chrysler bellhousing.

Do these exist or was the Chrysler 318 more of a direct drive engine?

My options are to find the correct bellhousing to mate up the 270 and the 318 or,
Sell the 318, I actually have two, and find a good chevy to go with the 270.

The boat is a 1960 21' Glasspar Ventura Cabin cruiser so fairly heavy.

what say the crowd? Opinions?

 

[GA_Boater]

Chryslers haven't powered new boats for a year or two. GMs are still going strong. Search for some Chrysler parts and the corresponding GM parts and you question be will answered. BTW - Even a direct drive motor has a bellhousing or equivalent.

Back in 2010 your 318 questions were answered and the answers are still the same;

Chrysler 318 with Merc outdrive????

OK, I have a Mercruiser 165 . . . yes, the old straight 6 job. It came out of a 1977 26' Fiberform. I was given a freshly rebuilt Chrysler 318 Marine Motor, V8. Is it possible to mate the 318 to the Mercruiser outdrive? Can the outdrive handle the V8? I would really like to do this conversion...

forums.iboats.com

 

[Glassparman]

Well, that old thread was heading a different direction. I'm set on the 318 and I found a Volvo 270 so the only choice is the proper bell housing I guess.

Maybe a trip north to the boat salvage places in Stockton. I'm sure they will have what I need.

 

[kenny nunez]

If the flywheel housing is separate from the p d s housing then all you need is a SAE marine flywheel housing that would be used if the engine will be a straight inboard Borg Warner clutch or similar. Some Chrysler/Volvo conversions had a 1 piece housing and with a little luck you may find one.
Every GM- Ford /Volvo conversion I have ever seen had the 2 piece style.
Some early Volvos that had hydraulic power trim known as a 270 “T” which used a different length p d s shaft. I once had to have a shaft modified because of an engine change.

 

[Scott Danforth]

OK, been off the site here since about 2011 because my job was so demanding. Finally back around to working my project.

I have a brand new from the rebuild shop, Chrysler 318 and all the gear to put back in a boat. I also have a complete Volvo 270 that was married to a Chevy engine. The outdrive has the Chevy bellhousing but I need the Chrysler bellhousing.

Do these exist or was the Chrysler 318 more of a direct drive engine?

My options are to find the correct bellhousing to mate up the 270 and the 318 or,
Sell the 318, I actually have two, and find a good chevy to go with the 270.

The boat is a 1960 21' Glasspar Ventura Cabin cruiser so fairly heavy.

what say the crowd? Opinions?

no, there isnt a volvo housing for the chrysler motor

you can run an adapter, but why.

sell what you have, buy what you need

I personally would jump to a volvo 290DP or a DPA over the 270 drive and probably run a decent 5.7

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... I'm certainly no Volvo guru, but I'm pretty darn sure that Volvo ran some Chrysler motors back in the mid/ late 60s,....

 

[Glassparman]

Ayuh,...... I'm certainly no Volvo guru, but I'm pretty darn sure that Volvo ran some Chrysler motors back in the mid/ late 60s,....

Bondo, you are correct. I just found the correct flywheel cover/ bell housing yesterday. It mates right up so I'm good! I even got the flywheel.

Still need to source a starter but I'm sure those exist on fleabay.

 

[kenny nunez]

A local realer once sold Chrysler boats that had the Volvo drives back around 73-74. Most had the 318s.
Glastron powered plenty of their boats with Volvo drive systems Along with many others.
Chrysler also produced a proto type stern drive of their own design. There is one in the Wisconsin auto museum. The only other place that I had seen one was at the International Marine Trades Show in Chicago.
Just a bit of trivia history.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I stand corrected, however I still suggest a 290DP or a DPA over the 270