98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

[bergadam]

Hey,

I had to re-power my 98 Volvo Penta 3.0L engin and got a rebuild from a dealer in Miami. Turns out, that the Drive Coupler for my SX drive does not fit the rear seal because the new motor does not have the recessed slot. I have read that if you do not replace your motor with a vintage OMC you have to have the coupler machined to fit the new seal, does anyone know anything about this?

 

[Don S]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

I have read that if you do not replace your motor with a vintage OMC you have to have the coupler machined to fit the new seal,

You heard wrong. You don't machine couplers to fit, what you should have done is got an engine the same vintage as yours.
You probably bought the older style engine that had a 2 pc rear main seal, they have a different bolt pattern on the crankshaft. You need to find a coupler for your crankshaft bolt pattern, not machining a coupler.

 

[bergadam]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

The bolt pattern is the same, the problem is the collar that comes off of the back of the coupler. The new Crank does not have the recessed hole in the center of it for the coupler. Where can I find a replacement coupler that will fit the new crank?

 

[COL BRADDOCK]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

Any luck? I had the exact same problem..

 

[Glastron3.0GLP-C]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

I think you bought the wrong longblock but it can be converted. I came across this description that has info about the recessed hole:
1990-2007 3.0L 181 cid 140 hp Volvo-Penta Mercruiser Bayliner longblock engine. Premium remanufactured for OMC Hardin Cobra Crusader Marine Power Pleasurecraft.
Longblock: $1,590
Core Charge: $500
This item is a 1990-2007 3.0L 181 cid longblock engine for Mercruiser, Volvo-Penta, Pleasurecraft, Bayliner, Chris Craft, Graymarine, Indmar, OMC, Hardin, Cobra, Interceptor, Marine Power, Crusader, Thermo-electron, Flagship, Yamaha and others. For identification, this engine has a one piece rear seal, the two starter bolts are diagonal to the 168 tooth flywheel, and the cylinder head has the squatty Vortec port. We offer a quality 3.0 Liter better-than-rebuilt remanufactured engine. Please be aware that if you purchase a 3.0 Liter engine from another supplier for the Volvo-Penta application, you may need to purchase a $200 coupler in order to convert the Mercruiser style flat crankshaft hub equipped engine to your Volvo-Penta application. Our longblock engine is an exact replacement for the 1990 and later 3.0 L 140 HP applications with the socket in the back of the crankshaft.

 

[bergadam]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

I talked with the company that sold me this long block and this is what they did: They took my coupler and matched the spindal and then sent me what appears to be an adapter that will replace my old coupler. I am assuming that this will some how bolt on the flywheel however I am not 100% sure. Has anyone installed one of these adapters before?

 

[Don S]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

I talked with the company that sold me this long block and this is what they did: They took my coupler and matched the spindal and then sent me what appears to be an adapter that will replace my old coupler. I am assuming that this will some how bolt on the flywheel however I am not 100% sure. Has anyone installed one of these adapters before?

No part number, no picture, how is anyone going to know what adapter they are even talking about. Let alone if someone has installed one or not.

 

[bergadam]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

ok Don, good point. I have lined it up and the bolt patter appears to fit the flywheel but the length seems a little long. What are your thoughts...

 

[bergadam]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

 

[Don S]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

It's not an adapter, they are just giving you a Mercruiser coupler, not a Volvo. Never tried it, so hard to say if it will fit or not, it should.
Did they give you the splined shaft with the 3 oring grooves to go with it?

 

[bergadam]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

It's not an adapter, they are just giving you a Mercruiser coupler, not a Volvo. Never tried it, so hard to say if it will fit or not, it should.
Did they give you the splined shaft with the 3 oring grooves to go with it?

No, They gave me nothing with this, just the coupler...should I have a specific alignment tool for this? Is that your question about the splined shaft?

 

[COL BRADDOCK]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

In my case the triangle coupler fits..if you have the flat style one piece rear main like me.the problem that you will run into is that the legs of the triangle has flanges/fins and they will rub on the inside of your Volvo bellhousing. the merc bellhousing is deeper allowing for more clearance. It needs about 2-3mm on clearance. I used aluminum tape to shim between the bell housing and the block and bolted it back up. So far workin best kind and I got over 30hours on the boat. With that said Engine Couplers pn4505 is likely the right coupler.

 

[COL BRADDOCK]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

Correction pn14505a2

 

[COL BRADDOCK]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

Can you take a picture of the flywheel and crankcase? Might be able to she'd some light on it..

 

[bergadam]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

Well, I have to say that you hit the nail on the head with the bellhousing. How did you shim it with the gasket or did you jus use that in place of the gasket?

 

[bergadam]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

Sorry, I meant for this to be the second photo...

 

[Don S]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

That coupler will probably work fine. The proper splined shaft has 3 oring grooves like this.\




The third ring allows you to use the grease zirk on the coupler. Without it, the grease will just go out the back of the coupler and not on the splines.

 

[COL BRADDOCK]

Re: 98 3.0L SX Drive Coupler does not fit!!

. Just cut strips and to size and put them around the bell housing. Dont forget it will compress when you bolt it up. If you have a gasket I'd just put it over top. I noticed you have washers on the three bolts holding on the coupler. Clearance could be an issue and you really don't want the bolt heads rubbing. . mine never had washers and the bolt head was lower than the coupler flanges ( used loctite on the bolts).



I'm 75% sure that coupler I showed you in the previous post is correct but like you I've ordered the same volvo coupler and it wouldn't fit. If it didn't take me four to six weeks to get the parts I would of ordered the round merc coupler. Definitely my next step if this coupler goes.