Volvo drive

[pgrider]

I am looking at a 18 seaswirl very nice condition but the engine is frozen. Don't know why he said it is just frozen and the stern drive is good. It has a sx drive I believe 1997 boat with 4.3 gl . Can I swap in a mercruiser. I found a dealer I can get a brand new 4.3 vortec marine long block for 2900 Canadian. Will everthing bolt up ok Volvo leg to engine. Engine part I am not worried about will bolt in just don't want to but the boat and then have to buy a new leg on top of new engine.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Volvo drive

if it is just the motor, why not get a long block from your local engine machine shop and swap over the exhaust manifolds, intake and electrics? would be a whole lot cheaper

Both Volvo and Mercruiser get their motors from the industrial engine division of GM. with the 4.3, you have to really match the year as there were many more changes over the years than there were with the V8's

 

[pgrider]

Re: Volvo drive

Actually that was from a engine shop that deal in marine engines. I spoke to a fellow at the local Volvo penta dealer and he told me if the engine was froze I need a new engine heat exchangers and rises all that stuff would be junk. and told me a new engine would be 10k. so I passed on the boat then I saw the add for new engines link enclosed. Thought that would be the way to go. I just want a bolt on procedure don't want to modify anything and Volvo engines seem costly. Best Choice Marine

Just want info before I pull the trigger on this boat.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Volvo drive

Have a trusted surveyor take a look an figure out why the motor is froze? If it's from a freeze up, could be as minor as cracked parts (heads, manifolds, intake, exhaust, block) if it's from the drive then maybe the motor's fine? Don't take the seller's word for it (he's trying to get rid of it and if it was easy and cheap, I bet he/she would just take care of it?!) There was a guy who posted on here that thought he had a frozen motor, turned out to be a loose bolt on his flywheel...it truly was a simple fix...after pulling the motor. Short or long blocks should match up with what you have there...have the old one pulled by a reputable shop (or do it yourself) pull off the good parts from the old motor, bolt them on the new motor (those that are salvageable, replace those that are bad) and re-install.

Good Luck!

 

[pgrider]

Re: Volvo drive

The guy with the boat bought a few boats from the States and is selling the ones he doesn't want to cover costs. So He told me the guy who had said the drive is good and has been removed to verify and that engine was froze. So I am thinking if price is good and I can swap an engine in for a decent price then I will do it. But I just want to make sure it can be done with no surprises. I myself am a licenced auto mechanic I can do the job and will check everything out. I would like to try and do this and have a boat with equity in it.

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: Volvo drive

The guy with the boat bought a few boats from the States and is selling the ones he doesn't want to cover costs. So He told me the guy who had said the drive is good and has been removed to verify and that engine was froze. So I am thinking if price is good and I can swap an engine in for a decent price then I will do it. But I just want to make sure it can be done with no surprises. I myself am a licenced auto mechanic I can do the job and will check everything out. I would like to try and do this and have a boat with equity in it.

That right there makes this an easy proposition. I'm not a mechanic, and I pulled my cracked 5.0L (302) and replaced just the block with a locally rebuilt 302. $950 + gaskets and associated fluids, mine was running again! I bought a used engine hoist on craigslist (which I resold exactly what I paid for it $40), borrowed the engine hoist, put the motor back in myself (used a buddy's shop forklift to take it out). Get a factory manual and it's as simple as following the instructions...there's a sticky at the top of the Mercruiser section or go to Boatinfo - boat brochures and manuals for boats and marine engines! for your particular manual!

Cheers,

~Brett

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Volvo drive

if you talk to a boat mechanic. they will sell you a complete marine engine from flame arrestor to the transom, and if they can, they will sell you a new outdrive as well. why do they do this. because they can then warranty the work.

however as I stated, your local engine building machine shop can probably rebuild your 4.3 long block for about $1000 or if he has to provide the cores, about $1500

Since this is a boat you are looking at, and do not own yet. the first question is does the seller have the title. no title, no deal.

that also begs the question. unless you are getting a smoking hot deal on a boat with a "frozen" motor. why would you buy it. what caused it to "freeze" if you a buying a boat from a "guy who bought a few boats from the states". was it a New Jersey boat. if so, walk away. it was probabably a sunk boat from Hurrican Sandy

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Volvo drive

Unless the drive was removed, you can't really verify if its the engine or drive that's frozen.

 

[pgrider]

Re: Volvo drive

The drive was removed. boat was from Washington and the guy sold it, not to me. So I will just go into debt and buy one this spring...Thanks for all the help