Volvo Penta AQ130C/270 Gaskets/freeze plugs etc.

[toph]

Hey everyone,

I am new to this so please forgive any newbie mistakes etc.

I recently acquired a 78'(i think) bayflite V174 with the ol' Volvo Penta AQ130C - I have read many a post about these motors and boats and have started the process of a full restore. Stringers were rotten so they have been replaces and everything hass been glassed back in and deck is on - now lets tackle the motor! Water in the oil... A cousin from Australia was visiting and informed me that my head gasket was likely blown (a preface here: the engine seems to run very well still and fires up immediately). So the gasket issue - then after a couple minutes we noticed a small crack on the exhaust manifold - and there is water coming out of a freeze plug. Now that this is diagnosed I have some questions for the experts!

Is the gasket set for the top end exchangeable with any auto parts for the B20 head or do I need to get the specific penta set?

Is the manifold weldable and can it be switched with a manifold from a 240 (or anything)?

there is a leak coming from near the flywheel - possible the "rear seal" is that what this is called and is this common?

what should be replaced / looked at based on the condition and situation i am in?

Thank you very much and I truly appreciate all the support these threads seem to get!

Toph-

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ130C/270 Gaskets/freeze plugs etc.

Here are a couple of threads you need to read.
1. Water in the oil http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=369864
2. Freeze plugs http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=192525

there is a leak coming from near the flywheel - possible the "rear seal" is that what this is called and is this common?

If this was with the boat in the water, it may be a bad bellows. Could also be the block is cracked behind the flywheel. Either way the engine has to come out for repairs.

 

[toph]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ130C/270 Gaskets/freeze plugs etc.

Ahh.... (unhappy face) so I should probably take the engine apart and check all these parts before investing in the rebuild kits... might not be worth it to fix. can you swap a GM v8 for this? (probably a stupid question).

 

[Don S]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ130C/270 Gaskets/freeze plugs etc.

You will have to take it apart enough to find your problems.
Installing a V8 can be done, but not easily or cheaply.

 

[toph]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ130C/270 Gaskets/freeze plugs etc.

Thank you Don S - I will report back once I have dissected. Any other threads/websites that might make me learn more and in turn... this process a little less complicated???

Cheers

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ130C/270 Gaskets/freeze plugs etc.

I'm in the final stages of rebuilding a 130C so have become quite familiar with the engine. An additional source of water in the oil is the oil cooler. If you don't have a way to test it yourself, a radiator shop should be able to do it for you.

The manual and parts schematics will help you with disassembly but theres nothing really special. Just be careful of the cooling water tubes. You don't want to get too heavy handed or you'll have a tough time getting them back in place. And of course, labling parts, nuts, and bolts is important. There are different head gaskets based on the compression ratio. The VP head gaskets aren't too expensive so it's probably best to just go with that unless you want to play with different thickness and compression ratios. Would be a good idea to jot down your engine serial number in the manual since some parts like rings and big end bearings are specific to the serial number. Many of the automotive engine parts will work, just need to make sure they are like for like.

Let us know what you find.

 

[toph]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ130C/270 Gaskets/freeze plugs etc.

Thank you (a few months later) I have moved twice since that post and finally getting some time to think about it all. Got everything apart and ordered parts - found some good deals on ebay Including an oil cooler.... After taking mine off and apart I noticed a "nick" on the entrance to the tubes... Will make sure to pressure test before they get back on.

Cheers

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ130C/270 Gaskets/freeze plugs etc.

Check around local radiator shops. They should be able to pressure check the oil cooler.

 

[toph]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ130C/270 Gaskets/freeze plugs etc.

Where (if you needed) did you find the core plugs? are these standard sized plugs?

I'm in the final stages of rebuilding a 130C so have become quite familiar with the engine. An additional source of water in the oil is the oil cooler. If you don't have a way to test it yourself, a radiator shop should be able to do it for you.

The manual and parts schematics will help you with disassembly but theres nothing really special. Just be careful of the cooling water tubes. You don't want to get too heavy handed or you'll have a tough time getting them back in place. And of course, labling parts, nuts, and bolts is important. There are different head gaskets based on the compression ratio. The VP head gaskets aren't too expensive so it's probably best to just go with that unless you want to play with different thickness and compression ratios. Would be a good idea to jot down your engine serial number in the manual since some parts like rings and big end bearings are specific to the serial number. Many of the automotive engine parts will work, just need to make sure they are like for like.

Let us know what you find.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: Volvo Penta AQ130C/270 Gaskets/freeze plugs etc.

These are 45 and 42 mm plugs. You can look them up in a Volvo Penta parts list here on iboats: http://www.volvopentastore.com/Cylinder-Block/dm/*******.018423595--**********.398540800--store_id.366--view_id.771282, or you can try other sites. Here's a site that sells vintage Volvo automotive parts but I just noticed that the casting plugs are not the same part number: http://http://www.ipdusa.com/prodtype.asp?numRecordPosition=51&CAT_ID=1061&categorycrumbs=986,1061

Many of the internal automotive parts are the same but it's really best to match part numbers and be aware that there are some sub-standard aftermarket parts out there. It becomes a matter of what's available and how much you're willing to spend. Since you're asking about core plugs, I'm going to go out on a limb here and make the guess that one or more are pushed out and that's why you're asking. That leads to the possibility of a cracked block or head. Now is the time to find out for sure so you can make informed decisions. Would be really bad to invest more into the engine only to find out that it's not repairable.