Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

[sinkn-feeln]

I've found out that Volvo-Penta is the manufacturer of the Eaton Interceptor. I think I have narrowed down the lower unit to the Aquamatic 250, 270, or 280 short shaft. How can I tell the difference?

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

I'm no volvo expert, just my opinion. There is an identification plate riveted to the upper assembly underneath the driveshaft bellow. I run a 280 with my 302w and have been told by volvo techs that it is the minimum rated drive for the engine, the 200, 250, 270 & 275 were designed more for 4 & 6 cyls and would not tolerated the extra hp of a v8. Aldo

 

[sinkn-feeln]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

The serial number tag on this one was above the driveshaft bellows, and unfortunatley the raising of the trim has caused collisions with the steering assembly, and the only legible part was Volvo Penta. I'm hoping to identify the unit, with help, by cosmetic and mechanical differences. I'm just not sure where to look, so I'm trying all resources.<br /><br />The information you have given will help narrow down my list.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

Sorry, my typo. It is above the bellow NOT below.<br />Mine is also ilegible from dings but the plate covering the shift mechanism has big red 280 cast into it. I doubt the boat builder fitted anything less than a 280 but anything is possible. I believe the shape of the zinc ring behind the prop changes from model to model, maybe a starting point in your search. Good luck. Aldo

 

[sinkn-feeln]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

I've found pictures on Ebay that match what mine looks like, and have saved them to my hard drive. If anyone can tell by a visual, because the descriptions on Ebay did not include model number, I can email pictures. I'm begining to think it is certainly a 280, but would like to be 100% sure before I order parts. Unless parts are interchangeable between the 270 and 280.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

I'd like to see the pics, Aldo<br />aldek@nex.net.au

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

Todd, I run a 280vp, 302w circa 1980, 24ft Johnstone Reefrunna (ex coastgaurd boat), very deepV, heavy & bulky (hand laid triple layer glass over murbu centre beam 12 x 6, around 3 ton).<br />The boat originally came with large diesel but it died years ago and converted to petrol before I got it. It is grossly underpowered but I'm only interested in cruising so it suits me perfectly. My prop is the biggest before it hits the cav plate, I think 17 x 19 alloy, I'm not sure because cant find any markings and it doesnt really bother me. In the past I have tried 15 x 17 and got better hole shot etc but fuel consumption hurt to much. WOT 4800, top speed around 45KPH (30 mph?)tune regularly (i'm a mechanic) and only use optimax. Cruise at 1500rpm (around 10kph)on a sunny day with full fridge & half a dozen friends, all day & the fuel gauge barely moves. Aldo

 

[sinkn-feeln]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

Aldo,<br />Thanks for the info.<br />Since I'm running a 302 bored .030" over in a 19' aluminum hull, I'm hoping that a 15" diameter by 21 or 22 pitch will give me a top speed of 40-50MPH while keeping a decent amount of gas in the tank. Most of the time I'll be cruising around with my wife and 2 year old daughter, so I'll be running in the 20 MPH range and under.<br /><br />Thanks again for the info. If you have pics of your boat, I'd be interested in seeing them.<br /><br />Todd

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

Todd, I dont have a digital camera but will try to borrow one. The pics you sent me are identical to my outdrive, its a 280. What WOT are you getting?

 

[sinkn-feeln]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

I have not run at WOT yet, I want to break in the new motor before I run wide open. I stopped at about 4200 RPM and was approx. 35 MPH. I've only run it on the water about 20 minutes last weekend, when I found a few small problems I want to fix. I'm having my 14"dia. 19 pitch prop rebuilt this next week, and then I'll spend a whole day on the water breaking in the motor. Who knows, maybe the prop I have is the exact one I need. So far any 21 pitch I've found that's a 17 spline, is 1/2" longer than mine, and covers up too much thread.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

I've found my original prop, now my spare, it is 14 x 19. As I said earlier, it allowed better hole shot and top speed. My new one is much bigger (17 x 21?) If you specify vp280 the prop shop can advise but I think you have the correct one now. Good luck and keep us uptodate with the results of your experiment. Aldo

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

I should have given you this link earlier, sorry.<br />www.suprememarine.com/Props/Volvo_Penta.htm<br />It lists ALL props available for vp.

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

I have to disagree with you on “270’s were used with 6 and 4 cylinders“. I have a 1972 John Allmand Super Nova. It came with a Chrysler 318ci with a Volvo 270. I now have a Chrysler 360ci/320hp with the same drive. According to Volvo the 270 is can easily handle it. I also found out over the years that the 318ci/Volvo 270 was used in many Donzi sweet sixteen's in the early years but Donzi moved to the 280 and others (mercrusier) because they had trim.

 

[sinkn-feeln]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

Just when I thought I had it figured out. But as I'm learning, "That's Boating".<br /><br />Can you tell me the difference between a 270 and a 280. There are no standard Volvo markings, since it was a private label for Duracraft. I don't think it will make a difference on locating a prop, but it would be handy to know which model if I have to do any repairs. Is there something that stands out as a difference between the two models?

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

You may get lucky and find it on the inside of the shifter cover. Thats where I found what mine is.

 

[sinkn-feeln]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

I've found out my original prop is a 21 pitch, but has lost 1/2-3/8" off the diameter, I guess due to use and multiple repairs. The guy rebuilding my prop said he would take it back as close to original as he could, but didn't know if he could put the :cup" back in it.<br /><br />The horsepower on mine is marked 190HP with the original 2bbl carb. When I rebuilt the motor, the head and block were marked 302, but this may not be the original motor.<br /><br />I've found assembly diagrams on a Volvo site, and mine appears to match the 275 model.<br /> http://www.volvopentaparts.com/VolvoDiagrams/275.asp <br /><br />I've posted images of the boat and outdrive. If anyone has information on either, please let me know. The boat is a Duracraft, but I can't find any information at all on older Duracrafts.<br /> http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrowse.asp?selected=473141 <br /><br />Keep the good info coming.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

f_inscreenname, I stand corrected, that info was given to me by an old salty from a volvo repair shop at my local marina but I know how facts can blend with urban myths, one bad experience with a 270 and all of a sudden they can't handle v8's. Always keen to learn from more experienced people. The pictures I saw of Todds outdrive look identical to mine, which is a 280. Aldo

 

[f_inscreenname]

Re: Who's the Volvo Aquamatic expert?

yea <br /> It doesn't look like my 270. I also have through hull exhaust so if it was a 270 they should look about the same.<br /> <br /><br />Look “400 posts”. I spend way to much time here.