Volvo Penta AQ280 'bearing carrier' bolts corroded... attempt to change now or leave for the rest of the season ? (pics inside)

[alesserfate]

Volvo Penta AQ280 'bearing carrier' bolts corroded... attempt to change now or leave for the rest of the season ? (pics inside)

Hey folks,

So I bought this boat not too long ago, GM350 with Volvo Penta AQ280 outdrive. I am getting it bottom painted now and was about to put it in my slip for the remainder of the season (salt water). While doing a final inspection prior to putting it in, I noticed whoever did work on this boat before decided to use low grade hardware that's non-stainless for a component as cruicial as this. From my automotive experience I am suspecting if I pull the drive and try to change these 1 by 1 I will likely snap at least 2 of them. I really want to use the boat this season since I paid for the moorage already but I know if I try to change them it will take me 1 to 2 months with the spare time I have between work and other things. Would it hurt to leave them in for the rest of the year ? Is there a chance of the caps corroding away and letting water into the bellhousing ? I haven't pulled Volvo drives before but I've rebuilt alpha one legs all the way from the transom shield, is it very hard to take the drive off to attempt this endeavour ? Any help greatly appreciated.

Regards,

 

[jerryjerry05]

Leave em till the fall.
Won't be any harder to do then.

 

[alesserfate]

Thanks, I agree with you. I'm going to do a full drive inspection and at the same time change these. Lots of penetrating grease and an impact gun will hopefully do the trick. Was thinking finding a aq280dp to convert to while Im at it. Regards.