making my old i/o more reliable

[bardfromedson]

I have a 85 sea ox with a Volvo penta 350 with a 290 Volvo drive on it. have had it for 2 seasons. the motor runs pretty smooth. this year I got rid of the old points ignition and went with an electronic. I also traded In the old carb for a new rebuilt one. put in new plugs and thermostat. got her out to the coast and had one of the old exhaust manifolds crack, spray water and heat up bad enough to melt the exaust bellows. it didn't totally ruin my trip but cost me some time offshore.
this offseason I plan on changing out the old alternator, belt, starter, oil pump, fuel pump, water pump, hoses, and both exhaust manifolds.
this is my first I/O so I don't know a lot about the drives. what parts should I be looking to change out on the drive for preventitave maintanence? I had it in the water for 7 days and the leg oil looks brand new so I don't think I have any seals that were leaking. is there anything else I should be looking to change out on the motor? its raw water cooled. im trying to get another year or 2 out of it and then buy a rebuild marine motor and bolt on all the new stuff I have been acquiring the last couple of years.
I only get to use the boat for 1 or 2 trips a year and they are 5-7 day trips so it doesn't get a ton of use. next year I plan on taking it to the charlottes so I don't want any minor failures to ruin a trip because of lack of available parts. any and all recommendations are welcome.

also, does anyone have any experience with ordering rebuild motors out of the US vs getting one in Canada? the prices look really good in the US but I imagine the shipping will be really bad.

The order I will be putting in will be pretty expensive. anyone have any good places for old Volvo parts? I have been looking on the iboats site and the prices looked pretty good. any other places I should be looking?

 

[combover]

u-joint bellows. should be done every 2-3 seasons check the u-joints while your in there also allows u to grease the drive splines so the drive won't get seized into the engine. if the manifolds gave out chances are the risers are close as well, sometimes they get so restricted it adds pressure and blows out some where else. and if was salt water that sprayed on the engine you should get some salt away and wash down the engine really well.
any vovlo penta dealer should be able to get the parts you require and there are a few after market manufactures for most parts as well that might save you $$$.

in the winter you have to drain the manifolds as well as the block

 

[Drewski Canuck]

Careful on Crate engines that have been rebuilt. Marine engines have a different oil pump, as the motor always runs at 5K +. Car engines run a lot lower RPMS even at highway speeds. A lot of so called marine rebuilds are not real marine engines, and don't last because of it.

Marine alternators are sealed, Car alternators are not.

The list goes on. All in all, some due diligence will save redoing things in the future. Combover has good points on the spline shafts.

Drewski

 

[abbyfireguy]

Give California Marine in Richmond a call. He is the American Turbine jet specialist but also has amazing knowledge of inboard drives. He has very good prices on GM crate engines (new). He buys tons of them by the container load.
David is getting on in years , but you won't find a more knowledgable guy when it comes to GM Marine V8's.
You can get everything from a long block utilizing your own manifolds and carbs to full turn key engines.
I have a 350 330 hp waiting sealed up in the shop for when the 4.3 expires(I got a screaming deal on it).

 

[TenMile]

You've got a pretty complete list of items you intend to replace. Other items you need to inspect and consider replacing:

- Spark Plug wiring harness -- given you've done the distributor and plugs, may as well do the wires
- Starter solenoid and relay -- maybe get yourself a spare as these tend to wear out
- Remove drive and inspect/lube gimble bearing, and replace bellows (replacement usually done every 3-5 years) - have the drive aligned
- Carry a spare impeller (I believe Volvo have the water pump mounted on the flywheel which is the easiest/best design)
- If Manifolds were just done, but Risers were not done, consider replacing the risers -- they are typically done as a set when in need.
- Consider adding a flush valve to your raw water intake with a garden hose adapter (a 3 way valve system). This allows you to flush the manifolds/risers and block with fresh water after use (or better, use SaltAway) and will prolong the life of these parts. Also handy if you get a week or debris stuck in your intake as you can flush it out with the garden hose.
- Consider a fuel additive like SeaFoam -- cleans carbs/plugs and stabilizes fuel (SeaFoam shock treatment for dirty carbs/injectors works very well).
- Add a Raycor fuel/water separator with the glass bowl.
- Consider adding an Automatic Charge Relay to your dual battery setup -- ensures both battery banks are fully charged without having to remember to use the MBSS. If you don't have a second battery bank -- add one.

 

[terrin]

Raycor Fuel filter a good add on but for Inboard application a glass bowl (Clear) is not recommended use the metal one.

 

[finaddict]

I'd say get a good crane and pull it out and use it as a boat anchor and get yourself a pod and a Yamaha........but that would be flaming and trolling...... so I won't say it.

 

[TenMile]

Raycor Fuel filter a good add on but for Inboard application a glass bowl (Clear) is not recommended use the metal one.

Didn't know that -- thanks for the update. My Merc has the spin on OEM units and I figured having the glass bowl would be nice to see if there is any water in the fuel. Did a quick read and the glass/plastic bowls are not recommended by Raycor for inboards as it's potentially a safety/fire issue if the bowl were to leak or break in the enclosed engine space.

 

[TenMile]

I'd say get a good crane and pull it out and use it as a boat anchor and get yourself a pod and a Yamaha........but that would be flaming and trolling...... so I won't say it.

That's not flaming -- it's called spending "OPM" (other people's money) and is truly a sport almost as fun as fishing!!!

 

[bardfromedson]

Thanks for all the help guys. Any suggestions for 1 stop online shopping? I would prefer to make 1 order and not loose my shirt with shipping.

 

[TenMile]

I have had good luck with Marinepartsexpress.com