tips on buying a used 290 dp

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
47,499
for your needs, a complete setup

preferably fresh water only

well maintained

low hours

keep in mind your looking at 30 year old drives
 

QBhoy

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Mar 10, 2016
Messages
8,309
Although really well engineered drives, if not over engineered...they have one or two weak points.
The most common of which are;

water ingress through the bloody oil drain screw seal. I used to silicone over the plug after each oil change

The trim pump (if original) has a habit of passing at the valves inside the pump. This means the drive will slowly creep down, at best...and fall down at worst.

Check the stare of rhe cone clutch too, if you are able. Test by making sure it doesn’t slip or delay going in and out of gear after it’s warmed up and been running fast. These are a pain to do at best, and expensive to do, if by a dealer, at worst.

Oh and the pins you need to take out to remove the drive can be stubborn if not out annually.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
11,831
ask Rick on the www.baylinerownersclub.org
or Ricardo on marine engine dot com
Same person, knows these inside and out.

I passed on a nice '89 Steigercraft Miami with a new crate engine because it had one of these. I always heard they were good but here in salt water mechanics don't like to work on old drives and especially ones where all the parts might not be available. I know from experience (OMC owner) its more difficult the older these things get. However I can still get good quality rebuild Cobra drives for a reasonable price. I wound up teaching myself to do the shift linkage adjustment that many mechanics won't touch. With the right tools and some patience it is easy.
 

tim24

Seaman
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
56
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you computer issue thank you both very much
 

tim24

Seaman
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
56
Hello again I found the complete setup from a fresh water boat. I plan on replacing the u joints the gimbal/ transom bearing whatever volvo calls it. should I stay with volvo parts or are there better choices for bearings u joints etc?
 

tim24

Seaman
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
56
Thank you for your replies I was told to check the oil for water metal etc don't buy it with props on do a pressure check. if possible check it out on running boat so you can see how it goes in and out of gear
 
Top