Volvo 275 without power trim

[Tommywalton]

I hope I'm posting in the right place. I'm newbie here. I own an 86 bayliner Capri 195. It has a Volvo 275 drive without power trim. A ridiculous setup acually. I want to convert it to power tilt/trim. I've searched the forum for hours. Nothing. I know it can be done somehow. Has anyone ever converted one, if so how. The thing is a dinosaur and almost useless and I've destroyed more than a few props as the weak ram will not hold the unit in reverse. Any ideas? Oh I can buy a mercruiser alpha 1 with power steering and power tilt/trim for $500. So that's another option

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

It can't be done economically, unless you are real lucky on ebay and find a complete transom shield and trim system. Very few were actually made.

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

You mean 275 outdrive power trim parts? I would prob be better off looking into this mercruiser setup. What do you think? I can get all parts from flywheel back to prop. Including all power steering parts and throttle. Basically the guy took the 350 engine and put it in a truck. Scrapped the hull and kept all other parts. Working parts. I see only transom issues. Is thus a common swap?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

Is thus a common swap?

Ayuh,... But Not with Volvo power,+ a Mercruiser drive...
It's usually Yank the existing,+ go back with ALL Mercruiser...

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

Ayuh,... But Not with Volvo power,+ a Mercruiser drive...
It's usually Yank the existing,+ go back with ALL Mercruiser...

yep, and while you've got the engine and outdrive out you'll have to rebuild your transom to make the smaller cutout for the Alpha.

Or, you can accept the fact that you purchased a boat with an outdrive without power trim and get used to using it. Many of us have.

 

[TheLucille]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

The tilt mechanism should hold the drive in reverse. If it doesn't (the drive bounces) your reverse latches are shot. This may have occurred when you hit something since you don't have power trim

I assume you have the 5.0 not the 3.0? With the 3.0, the Alpha leg won't work - it has the wrong ratio.

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

The tilt mechanism should hold the drive in reverse. If it doesn't (the drive bounces) your reverse latches are shot. This may have occurred when you hit something since you don't have power trim

I assume you have the 5.0 not the 3.0? With the 3.0, the Alpha leg won't work - it has the wrong ratio.

Not sure what you are referring to lucille, but he's not haveing a problem with his lockdown, he wants trim, and it doesn't matter what the gear ratio, he can not put an Alpha drive on a Volvo. It just can't happen.

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

respectfully don, you are wrong in this case. A general motors 305 small block and 350 small block have the same "transmission flange" well for that matter 283, 302,305,307 327 350, 383 and 400 all are the same. what some of you are not understanding is all these engines, volvo or mercruiser are gm or ford engines. they come from those plants. don't be confused, if a volvo has a 305 engine in it and it craps out, any of the above mentioned engines will go right in with out any issue other than flywheel changes. trust me i know because i've done it. twice. my boat came with a 305 chevy. with volvo stickers on it. i now have a firebird 350 with an 11" corvette flywheel to couple it all up. ran all last summer no problems. not to mention about 80 more hp than 305. now the transom issue, i think i will buy the merc. outdrive after i go check out the numbers and get back with y'all. i will need to know ratios of both drives so that stuff will all work out. my reasons for all this is i wakeboard. wake is very important. driving a boat without trim or power steering sux. plain and simple. just sux. i can fine tune the wake by making trim changes. i don't have thousands to buy another boat.

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

If your running a V8, your volvo ratio should be 1.61:1.

If your really going to try to convert to the alpha, what are you going to do about the larger hole in the transom of your boat?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

respectfully don, you are wrong in this case. A general motors 305 small block and 350 small block have the same "transmission flange" well for that matter 283, 302,305,307 327 350, 383 and 400 all are the same. what some of you are not understanding is all these engines, volvo or mercruiser are gm or ford engines.

Ayuh,... And you're Confused about just How these marry together...
The "transmission flange" is Irrevelant in this case..
If you want a Mercruiser drive,... You Need a Mercruiser dressed motor,..
Regardless the displacement...
If you think you're just gonna slap in a Mercruiser outdrive onto your Volvo dressed motor,...
You're in for a Long Frustrating trip...

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

Ok bond o I see your point, however the engine I'm running now is identical to the 350 CHEVY that the "donor" boat was running. I'm getting all parts including flywheel starter and coupler. Trust me in this case it's not an issue. Also I'm getting power steering pumps brackets etc. When I bring it all home I will have complete mercruiser repower so to speak. My only issuses are going to be transom and possibly engine location. I may have to fab brackets to support front of engine. So I'm open to suggestions on transome hole. And thickness. I think I could build a large aluminum or stainless plate to cover Volvo hole and bolt it to transome. Then cut hole for merc. I know transome thickness will be an issue but I can solve that with spacer plates. Ideas please..

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

you'll need merc exhaust manifolds and risers unless your running thru hulls.

the list goes on...

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

Also bond o, for my education could you explain a mercruiser dressed engine. Concentrating only on the rear engine block flange, such as dimensional differences from crankshaft flange to rear of block mating flange, between a "dressed" and non dressed block?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

however the engine I'm running now is identical to the 350 CHEVY that the "donor" boat was running.

Ayuh,... Except 1 is a Volvo dressed motor,+ the other is a Mercruiser dressed motor,...
The Commonality Ends at the Long Block Configuration....

The Best, simplest,+ most Common transom job is fill it with plywood, resins,+ glass, then cut a New hole...
Starsnstripers is doing 1 Now,+ has a thread going... Search 'im up...

Btw,... 2" is the thickness to build too...

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

I am running thru hull but I have ALL Parts minus long block assembly. Which is a garden variety 350 Chevrolet, which I have now powering a crappy Volvo 270 outdrive with corvette flywheel and clutch disc that I took the friction material off of and drilled to match the flywheel. Don't try to tell me that won't work ha ha!

 

[Tommywalton]

Re: Volvo 275 without power trim

Ok 2", thank u very much, I will check out his thread. And that was my point "end at long block". By dressed I think you mean exhaust parts, brackets, mounts, flywheel and coupling system. Thanks for your help.