Replace the Volvo Penta 5.7 with a Chevy 350?

[cc190cc]

Greetings,

- My boat has a 2000 Volvo Penta 5.7GI i/o which was overheated and now knocks. I also believe either the head gasket is blown or the heads are cracked, going to start taking it apart tonight. The knock is a rod for sure and there is milkshake in heads.

Can I replace the Volvo Penta 5.7 with a Chevy 350?, I'm 99% sure they are same motor. I was thinking that I would probably be better off rebuilding the Volvo because it is a marine motor? Any thoughts, I am experienced in building honda motors and figured an old 350 couldn't be much harder.

Any thoughts?

Chad

 

[captmello]

Re: Replace the Volvo Penta 5.7 with a Chevy 350?

Yes, they are one and the same. You can purchase a 350 long block and swap all the other parts from your bad engine. Just make sure it is built for marine applications with brass core plugs, correct camshaft, marine head gaskets, etc. And make sure the blocks are similar in vintage to make sure everything bolts up.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Replace the Volvo Penta 5.7 with a Chevy 350?

Same animal. But as said, make sure that if yours is a 1pc rear main seal, that you get a 1pc rear main block(same ventage). Most likely it is a Vortec, and the heads are differant, so you have to make sure the manifold will bolt up to the new engine. When I did my 01, I bought an 88 block that had been completely gone through, and a set of remanufactored Vortec heads off ebay for $300. Cheaper than getting mine done.

Make sure you get the brass plugs, marine cam, marine gaskets etc etc, or you could have issues, especially if you are using it in any salt water.

Something to consider. I was in a hurry to get my boat back in the water, so I went out and bought a complete used engine. Turned out I got the shaft, and it was junk. So I bought the bottom end and heads seperately. Ended up taking nearly 2 months to get it all back together. If I was to do this again, I would rebuild what I have, aside from the great deal I found on the heads. My fear was that a machine shop would take too long to get my stuff done, but as it turns out I probably would have been back in the water quicker and a lot cheaper if I had just rebuilt the bottom end myself.

 

[cc190cc]

Re: Replace the Volvo Penta 5.7 with a Chevy 350?

Thanks guys,

I know the local machine shops personally so can get the work done fast. I can def do the work to rebuild, since it is knocking I will prob buy a crank kit and salvage whatever else I can. My thoughts were rebuild the one i have since it still runs and has the marine cam, plugs etc. I will take it apart this weekend, hopefully the heads are not cracked but we will see. I really just wanted to confirm that it was the same as a 350, its really nice that this thing is fuel injected....i think.

Chad

 

[Aloysius]

Re: Replace the Volvo Penta 5.7 with a Chevy 350?

Moneypit is correct. It's also probably a roller lifter engine, so swapping the cam from one engine to the other is no big deal. Make sure, if it is a roller lifter engine, that you use the proper distributor drive gear for the steel camshaft.

 

[6meter]

Re: Replace the Volvo Penta 5.7 with a Chevy 350?

Rebuilding yours is what I would do except make sure you know why you've got the milkshake oil in there.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Replace the Volvo Penta 5.7 with a Chevy 350?

Try here. After you pay the machine shop bill,gaskets,rebuild kit, not to mention all the time of mic'ing all your other parts to make sure they are in spec. You can have one shipped to your front door with a warranty for almost the same price...

http://www.rapidomarine.com/default.aspx?p=/engines/default.aspx

PS

If you plan on rebuilding yours you don't have to buy a new crank. The machine shop can fix it up for ya...

 

[JaseBosto]

Re: Replace the Volvo Penta 5.7 with a Chevy 350?

Try here. After you pay the machine shop bill,gaskets,rebuild kit, not to mention all the time of mic'ing all your other parts to make sure they are in spec. You can have one shipped to your front door with a warranty for almost the same price...

http://www.rapidomarine.com/default.aspx?p=/engines/default.aspx

PS

If you plan on rebuilding yours you don't have to buy a new crank. The machine shop can fix it up for ya...

I was thinking this as well. Have one shipped to your front door(long block), then just pull the intake and all the external stuff from the old motor. You'd be back on the water in no time that way(after the motor shows up)