Should I buy a 1997 Volvo Penta 5.7 GS?

[wsimpson]

I have spent the past two seasons working out all the Merc 3.7L 165 issues which sholuld be good for the next owner. Now I am looking to get into a bigger boat with less to no issues if that is possible on a boat I have had new and used and there is always something that needs to be done. I am currently looking at a 1997 Glastron 205 GS with the Volvo 5.7 GS. I think the outdrive is a SX, but not sure at this point. Has anyone had any issues with this engine/outdirve? The biggest thing that stands out to me at this time is parts are not as easy to find as Merc or as cheap as the Sierra brand.


Just want to do a sanity check to make sure I am not running into the same problems I am running from.

Thanks for yout help in advance!

-Wayne

 

[J Perry]

Re: Should I buy a 1997 Volvo Penta 5.7 GS?

Stay with Mercruiser. Do the correct PM and this will reduce the failures. My 77 470 runs like a fine clock. Did a couple upgrades. I installed a
new 4 inch cooler on my cooling system and added a water seperator on the fuel line. Get yourself an alignment tool and check the outdrive alignment every year and grease the drive shaft with spline grease, same for prop. Change the gear oil on the outdrive as per the maual. Once a year should do. Change the water pump in the outdrive every season no mater if you only run it 20 hrs. I also add a can of seafoam to my gasoline once ever so often. Change engine oil and coolent every season. The allignment tool cost $70.00 and iBoat sold me the 4" cooler for $400.00 and the water seperator kit for $24.00. I spend now only about $48.00 a year for all my PM. I hope this helps you decide to stay with Mercruiser.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Should I buy a 1997 Volvo Penta 5.7 GS?

Volvos are excellent drives as well as Mercruisers but with everything being equal with the boat, I prefer Volvos. Compared to Merc Alphas, you have the cone clutch(much better than a dog clutch)and the water pump impeller on the engine...both huge reasons to go with Volvo.

Volvo parts are easy to get. I buy all of mine mail order and stick with OEM.

 

[wsimpson]

Re: Should I buy a 1997 Volvo Penta 5.7 GS?

The idea of the water pump being on the motor sounds like a good thing to me. Do you still have to pull your lower unit every year? I would think you would only need to replace the drive lub every year. I dont see another need to crack the outdrive open. I could be missing something thou.

-Wayne

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Should I buy a 1997 Volvo Penta 5.7 GS?

You still want to pull the DRIVE every year to check for water intrusion into the bellows as well as lubing the u-joints, inspecting the gimbal bearing and checking alignment. No need to seperate the 2 halves.