AQ170 rebuilding guidance...

I have an AQ170 that had a bad rod knock. I had the head gone through. I am ready to repair the block and I was told by my Volvo Penta marine dealer that the block and parts are the same as the B30 from Volvo cars and I can save a lot of money using those parts. When I went to the engine parts shop, they asked if the B30 was an "A" or "F" motor. I can't find the answer.

Also, I have found conflicting recommendations on whether or not I need to pull the out-drive (Volvo Penta 280) off to remove the block.

Any help or other related advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks...

Re: AQ170 rebuilding guidance...

Welcome to the forum.

We'll start with your second question first. You don't need to pull the outdrive but it's highly recommended that you pull the upper gearbox and remove the engine with the flywheel cover attached.

The tag on the engine will have the designation of AQ170 A, B, or C and the serial number. You'll need those. From there, you'll need to start determining the ring and bearing serial numbers from a Volvo Penta site and cross reference the part numbers to an automotive Volvo catalogue. It's a bit of a pain but the only way I know of to find the parts for rebuilding without going straight Volvo Penta.

You also may want to consider some of the hidden costs for maintaining that engine and add those to the rebuilding costs. The cost of a new exhaust manifold, if you can find one, will give your wallett a sharp tug. The same applies to the circ water pump. There's nothing automotive for those and these were specific to that engine. If that engine was run in salt water, your corrosion problems will be multiplied.

It may be cheaper to find a donor boat with the V8 transom shield, exhaust Y pipe, and lower end of the outdrive and do a complete conversion to a V8. You have to do the math yourself but it's a good idea to know where you stand.

Here's a link that says the A model is the carb version and the E version is fuel injected. However, that doesn't change the fact that VP has different part nubers for engines with different serial numbers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_B30_engine