Need Help Identifying What Volvo Penta Outdrive I Have (Series and Gear Ratio)

[ttrue]

I just bought a used 1986 Bayliner 2850 Command Bridge with a single 5.7L Volvo GM engine and single prop Volvo Penta outdrive which needs to be replaced. The boat is currently in the water so I can't really get much of a visual on the outdrive to see details or even the Volvo Series Badge (270, 275, 280, 290, etc.). I was able to get the serial number off the top of the drive and Doug Russell Marine advises that the serial number appears to be good but that official records from that year are not complete so they can't identify it specifically - All they would offer is that it's possibly a 270 or 275. So, I'm hoping that someone out there has the same boat and set-up and can provide some guidance. Again, looking for outdrive Series and Gear Ratio. Other helpful suggestions are welcome as well. Thx

 

[captmello]

I don't think anyone will be able to say which drive you have. If its a 270 or 275, the exhaust outlet on the outdrive is the shape of an upside down triangle. If its a 280 or 290 the exhaust is flat, about 6 inches wide and an inch tall. Also the 290 has power trim and would have trim controls at the helm, not to be confused with the tilt controls used for the 270-280 outdrives. If you can raise the outdrive and see the exhaust outlet, that would be your best bet. However most of the outdrives, except the 290 are interchangeable. The gear ratio for the V8 motors of that era are 1.61:1.

 

[ttrue]

Appreciate the helpful information regarding the exhaust outlets however, I don't think that I can raise the outdrive enough to see the exhaust. I suppose that I could reach my arm down to feel the opening and will try that on my next visit to the boat.

Can you explain the difference between the 290 power trim and 270-280 tilt controls? I've always had Mercruiser drives to this point so not yet familar with the Volvo Penta particulars.

 

[PatinIdaho]

Well i have a 280. It has no trim. There is a toggle switch on the dash with a little amber light next to it. Its just for full up for trailering Or full down for running.
At a guess a 290 with power trim will have a switch with a up arrow and a down arrow on it but the real giveaway will be a trim gauge that will tell you where your out drive is trimmed to.The first 3 are trim/tilt. The 3rd image is tilt only 280

 

[jerryjerry05]

You can have a 275 or 280.
They used both on the 86 Bayliner(I know I had one and worked on a bunch)
Tilt it up and see what the cavitation plate looks like.
You can't add power trim to a 275 or a 280 unless you spend a lot o $$$$

The difference in the Volvo and Mercruiser.
The V is a tilt only(it can be used while tilted up for very low speeds in an emergency)
The 290 is just like the Merc.
ONLY WAY MORE EPENSVE!!!!

 

[ttrue]

Both helpful posts and appreciate the pics - From my recollection I don't have a trim gauge so I must just have have the tilt feature. I'll double check things on my next trip to the boat - I recently purchased it and haven't been able to check everything out yet. I'll need to have her hauled out and a replacement drive installed before I can use her. Any suggestions on where to get a good used outdrive? A new outdrive (if there are any) are out of the question, refurbished is over my budget for this project at $4K, so used is my plan for now. Doug Russell Marine can rebuild mine but it would also be near $4K + shipping charges to and from Massachusetts. Still looking for ways to identify which outdrive I have. Thx

 

[ttrue]

Well, with the helpful replies I'm certainly getting much closer to getting the information that I need. I did some additional online digging today and I was actually able to locate the original 1986 Bayliner Contessa 2850 Command Bridge specification datasheet on the Bayliner website - They also sent me an owners manual. Not all 1986 information was available but I got a hit on the the datasheet and it states that the 1986 Command Bridge base sterndrive was a Volvo Penta 280 which was coupled with the Volvo Penta GM 5.7L, 260HP engine and single prop sterndrive configuration. From other research I know that there were a couple of different models AQ280 (Tilt), AQ280T (Power Trim & Tilt) , AQ280PT (Power Trim), and AQ280E (High Speed Lower Unit) but I now believe that mine is the base AQ280 since I only have the (Tilt) feature. Unfortunately, there were three different gear ratios used 1.61:1, 1.89:1, and 2.15.1 so I'm still trying to sort that out.

 

[PatinIdaho]

If you have a V8 Your GR will be 1.61:1 and usually has a B as the last digit of the out drive serial number. If it is not then some one changed it to the wrong GR
A AQ280 can be trim also but that option was very rarely offered for some odd reason and the vast majority are just tilt.

What is wrong with your outdrive anyway that makes it need rebuilt?

 

[Capt. Willie]

Well i have a 280. It has no trim. There is a toggle switch on the dash with a little amber light next to it. Its just for full up for trailering Or full down for running.
At a guess a 290 with power trim will have a switch with a up arrow and a down arrow on it but the real giveaway will be a trim gauge that will tell you where your out drive is trimmed to.The first 3 are trim/tilt. The 3rd image is tilt only 280

I also have a 280, w/ the same set-up...it's just up/down, but they called it a trim function.



I'll try to find the link to the Penta Outdrive service manual, (pdf) covers several models........280, 285, 290 and 'DP' models..... I have a Resto thread here and a Volvo '170' inline 6 cyl......these Penta Outdrives come w/ a decal w/ # on back cover, but it fades and falls off w/ age. Good luck.


http://www.marinemechanic.com/volvo/volvo penta workshop manual.pdf

 

[ttrue]

Gents, I really appreciate the excellent information and the manual is super helpful - I'm now feeling pretty confident that I have the standard AQ280 sterndrive with the 1.61:1 gear ratio.

It's a bit of a funny story about the drive going out - I was looking at buying the boat especially after hearing from the previous owner what great shape she was in. So, the last step was to take her for a sea trial. We just left the marina about 200 yards behind us and as the Capt. pushed down on the throttle to get the boat up on plane I started hearing a noise that I can only say sounded like gears slapping. Then in the next few seconds as we continued to accelerate we heard a loud gear grinding noise and then a loud pop and the boat immediately lost headway. It actually blew the top cap off of the sterndrive. After that, we had no forward motion so in an attempt to get back to the dock we tried reverse but that only lasted for a short while. Finally we had to drop anchor and wait for a tow for over two hours. A few days later I found out that the boat was going to be donated so I contacted the owner and we agreed on a price that took into consideration the drive repair. I liked the boat and she was in just to good of condition to see her go. So, now I've got a bit of a restoration on may hands but I'm anxious to get her fixed and to be able to get a few more years out of her - hopefully several. Thanks again!

 

[PatinIdaho]

Sounds like the Brass split ring keeper broke if it blew the top cap off. If thats the chase all you need is a rebuilt/new transmission. Check ebay most are $500 or less. There all pretty much interchangeable as long as you get the same style. IE single bolt or 2 bolt helmet pin. Once you have it take ti to a volvo mechanic and have him shim it to match your drive. All for under $700ish bucks

 

[jerryjerry05]

You got lucky it as still in is name for the ride!!
The drives are all over.
Just make sure you get the right one.
I had the same boat.
It's not fast at all with the 260.
It will run good, just stay out of the 4 bbl.
They used a light duty truck motor.
The original motor had a propensity for sucking a valve now and again.
My boat ran good for the time I had it.

A fellow bought a 28 like yours.
The boat sat for years.
The drain plug was left in.
The boat filled up and the weight pushed the block up through the hull.
That was the first repair.
The drive was stolen sometime?
The new owner comes in one day and say's, I found another drive.
He installs it along with swapping u-joints and yokes????
Then he gets it running and put's it in the water.(burned up the impeller while starting)
Finally everything is done and he gets his whole family on board 6-8 people.
Leave the dock heading for the Baltimore Harbor about 20mi away.(6mph zone for about 1/2 mi.) doesn't come back till the next day.
Said the motor ran great but was a bit slow.
Him and I go for a ride.
Wide open is about 8mph.
Turns out he bought a drive for a 4cyl.
He didn't have the $ to fix it so he ran it like that for 2 years.
Then he disappeared and never saw him again.
Good luck with your boat

 

[ttrue]

PatinIdaho Good info. - So, you're suggesting that I could possibly just buy the gearbox like this one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Volvo-Penta-Upper-Gear-Box-transmission-270-280-Double-bolt-New-U-joints-1987-/291447120163?hash=item43db9a2123&vxp=mtr

Can I tell if it's a single bolt or double bolt helmet pin without disassemble? Where are the bolts located to help determine this?
Can you explain a little more about the shimming process - What are the shims and where do they go?
Are the gears that determine the Gear Ratio 1.61:1 located in this same transmission gearbox or in the lower outdrive unit?

One thing that's bothering me is the serial # on the top of my sterndrive is 27XXXXXX and according to some things that I've read this may mean that I actually have an AQ270 (AQ280 serial number starts with 28XXXXXX etc.) So, either the boat is an early version 1986 Bayliner 2850 that got a rogue AQ270 from the start (original factory datasheet states that the base engine sterndrive package came with a 280) or part or all of the sterndrive has been swapped out before.


jerryjerry05 - Yikes, that's some story and one that I definitely don't want to experience. You say the guy disappeared - After all that he probably jumped off the Bay Bridge.

 

[PatinIdaho]

The lower unit is where the gear ratios change.
If you look at your transmission right above the serial number there is a pin that will have 1 or 2 bolts in it. Being a 86 i would think yours is a 2 bolt style but who knows for sure till you look.
The bearing on the bottom of the transmission you see in the link you posted needs to be shimmed to run properly with your mid section. Easy to do with the manual and gauges to do it
You may also need to change the front yoke if the splines are different but thats easy as you already have the right one and should probably change the drive joints anyway.

 

[ttrue]

Ok, I'm now clear on what you're indicating and I just looked at a picture of the top of my sterndrive that I took the other day and it definitely is a single bolt. This has been a good learning experience and now I need to start looking for a compatible transmission box - Saw some on eBay that I need to check out a little further. Appreciate all the helpful tips!

 

[mtrainTurbo]

There's a really easy way to tell what drive you SHOULD have on the boat. I basically grew up at our marina that sold Bayliners, so I have seen a few from back when they were wrapped in plastic.

In 1985 Bayliner ran either 280s with standard transom shields or 290s with the new power trim transom shields. In 1986, Volvo came out with the 275 drive which is basically a beefy 270 for running behind V8s. Bayliner ran EITHER 275s with no power trim in 1986, OR power trim 290 drives. No rhyme or reason as to which got which - some came through with 275s, and some came through with 290s. I can ID them instantly with a pic of the transom of the boat, since the transom shields were unique.

That said, look at your dash. If you have a little red LED light next to a switch that says "TILT", then you do NOT have Power Trim, and thus, you have the old transom shield with the mechanical drive lift, and therefore, the 275. Now, that's not to say you STILL have the 275 on there - as discussed above, you could Lego whatever solution works for you as needed when it was time to repair. As such, you could easilly have a 275 upper but a 280 lower, and as long as the ratio is correct it will work fine.

If you have a separate trim control (posted above) with a separate VOLVO PENTA badged trim gauge on the dash, you have a 290. Same caveats as the 275 above apply. The transom shields are not easilly changable however, so I am pretty confident you can go by the type of tilt control on the dash to narrow it down definitively.