Volvo 5.7 engine. Good or bad?

Matt1021

Cadet
Joined
Jul 8, 2019
Messages
19
I had recently came across a boat with a 5.8 efi Volvo engine. Some guys on here advised to stay away from this engine since parts for the fuel engine were no longer available. Seeing a lot of Volvo 5.7 engines. Any such issues with 5.7 or should I stay away from this also?
 

Matt1021

Cadet
Joined
Jul 8, 2019
Messages
19
Volvo 5.7 engines

I had recently came across a boat with a 5.8 efi Volvo engine. Some guys on here advised to stay away from this engine since parts for the fuel engine were no longer available. Seeing a lot of Volvo 5.7 engines. Any such issues with 5.7 or should I stay away from this also?
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,343
the 5.8 is a 351 ford motor. Ford got out of the marine business shortly after (well over 20 years ago). hence the reason that there is no support for the fuel system.

the 5.7 is a 350 cubic inch GM gen 1 motor. there must be over a million in boats alone, not to mention the billions on the road. parts a plenty for the 5.7 for the foreseeable future.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,070
If its 10 years old or older, I'd get the model number and look up on the V/P website (connected with iboats) to see if key parts are still available such as:
EFI electronic control unit
fuel pumps
Electronic ignition control unit

these are things that will leave you high and dry if they fail and you can't find replacements.
I've said this before, but this is the advantage of carburated engines that can run with a carb rebuild kit + cleaning, the stuff is all over the aftermarket and in the case of Holley and Edelbrock, new stuff is widely available. That leaves the ignition system where the electronic Prestolite can be replaced with a Delco EST. Worst comes to worse you replace the EFI stuff with a GM marine or Edelbrock intake and install a 4bll Edelbrock or Holley (will also have to convert back to a low pressure electric fuel pump) and an EST distributor. No more worries.
 

Regal1973

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 15, 2018
Messages
106
Lou C, I understand your thought process.....but not really an option at this point. Way to much technology and expensive parts to eliminate & replace to get back to a basic carb motor.
I'm beside myself trying to figure it out. When it's under 160* it purrs like a kitten, but just over 160* and it starts lopping its idle. If I advance the throttle ever so slightly, it runs smooth & never it never has any issues when in drive putting around or when on plane,,, only at idle when its in neutral.
 
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