5.7L volvo duoprop test run during winter?

[smallmouthbigtaste]

I'm looking at buying a 1989 Regal Ventura with a 5.7L engine and volvo duoprop I/O. It is a REALLY good deal at the asking price... IF the motor runs and the drive shifts. The problem is that i live in Canada and it's -20c outside. Also I know outboards, 5.7L engines and small Mercrusier I/O drives fairly well, but I dont know anything about volvo penta drives other than that they are considered much better than the Mercruiser ones. Can I somehow test the motor and outdrive in this weather, or do I have to wait until spring? If I cant test it, should I jump on this anyways? Seller says it ran fine when he put it away 2 years ago and I believe him, but 2 years is a long time

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would get a set of Volvo Penta muffs, a small cork, and you can run it on a garden hose. You will have to read winterize it. The cork is for the half inch diameter hole on the bottom of the drive that is part of the water pickup

Other than that it's a small block Chevrolet, nothing really special.

To winterize it, you will have to pull the raw water supply line from the power steering cooler to the raw water pump, the raw water impeller and all the drain plugs and then rinse out the bilge when you're done

The problem is it hasnt run in 2 years. The carb may need to be redone, and anything that was in the tank long ago quit being fuel

 

[smallmouthbigtaste]

I have a set of muffs that fit on a Mercrusier 3.0L I/O, would they fit or do I need different ones?

 

[bajaunderground]

Also, consider that even though it might run on muffs, that doesn't mean the motor and drive are 100% okay...water on muffs is pushed into the sea water pump via static/residual pressure, so IF there's an overheating situation, it may not present itself until it's on the water and drafting water on it's own. Before I replaced my thermostat, impeller, risers and cleaned out the water ways, mine never showed any evidence of overheating...once in the water, it rose to 195deg F pretty quickly, only running at higher RPM's moved the amount of water required to keep it at correct temp... Just an FYI to consider?

Good Luck...we like pictures should you move forward with the purchase.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I have a set of muffs that fit on a Mercrusier 3.0L I/O, would they fit or do I need different ones?

No, mercruiser muffs wont work on a VP 290. The VP muffs are different

 

[smallmouthbigtaste]

Also, consider that even though it might run on muffs, that doesn't mean the motor and drive are 100% okay...water on muffs is pushed into the sea water pump via static/residual pressure, so IF there's an overheating situation, it may not present itself until it's on the water and drafting water on it's own. Before I replaced my thermostat, impeller, risers and cleaned out the water ways, mine never showed any evidence of overheating...once in the water, it rose to 195deg F pretty quickly, only running at higher RPM's moved the amount of water required to keep it at correct temp... Just an FYI to consider?

Good Luck...we like pictures should you move forward with the purchase.

Well, even though I could not test run the motor I did buy the boat (though its not a Ventura...it's a Valanti 220xl). After some research i discovered that if the motor is a turd, I could fix or even replace it and it would still be a great deal. Even if there turns out to be something really wrong with it I could part it out for around what I paid for it (the gently used props alone are $600-800 and a volvo DP outdrive is worth much more) and since i own a car with a chevy 350 in it... I could keep a few choice motor parts,or the whole engine for myself and I would still come out ahead.

 

[bajaunderground]

Well, even though I could not test run the motor I did buy the boat (though its not a Ventura...it's a Valanti 220xl). After some research i discovered that if the motor is a turd, I could fix or even replace it and it would still be a great deal. Even if there turns out to be something really wrong with it I could part it out for around what I paid for it (the gently used props alone are $600-800 and a volvo DP outdrive is worth much more) and since i own a car with a chevy 350 in it... I could keep a few choice motor parts,or the whole engine for myself and I would still come out ahead.

Sure, everything is replaceable or scrapable (sp?). Generally speaking, buying a boat can be costly above and beyond the purchase price, I hope that's not the case for your purchase. If there does end up being any issues, iboats and the members are very, very well versed in helping trouble shoot and fixing!

Post up some pics, we love boat porn!

Congrats!