1984 Volvo gimbal bearing??

[Nutcase76]

Hi, I went today to look at a 1984 19' Bayliner. Price seems good and boat was in good condition. Started the engine and it purred like a kitten. But when I started to raise the outdrive, it started a vibration. With the outdrive all the way down, you don't notice anything, but it gets worse the farther up you take it. It is the 4 cyl and the outdrive either said 170 or 270. Sorry I forgot for sure which one it is. The only person I know that has boating experience said it was probably the gimbal bearing. Does this sound like the right diagnosis? If so, is it very hard to change for a semi-mechanically inclined person to change? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Tom

[Uraijit]

How far up are you taking it? If you're putting it up in "Trailer" mode, don't.

If you're just using it in the normal trim range, could be a bad gimbal bearing, or bad U-Joints, or both. If they're damaged, it's probably due to water intrusion, so you're going to need to replace the gimbal bellows, et al.

Could also be something as severe as a rotted transom allowing the drive to shift.

I'd run away from an older Bayliner, or at the very least, take it to a marine surveyor before buying it...

[Don S]

Those don't have gimbal bearins. They do have bearing in engines bellhousing that could be bad.
How high did you raise the drive, the 270's do not have tirm cylinder, only a lift motor for tilting up.
The problem could be faulty ujoints as well, usually due to water in the ujoint bellows.

[Nutcase76]

Sorry for not clarifying. I only raised it up a few inches and the vibrating started. It was also doing it whether I had it engaged or in neutral.

[Don S]

The ujoints turn any time the engine is running.