Checking out a 24' Four Winns with a 5.7 Volvo Penta motor

[SHickey]

Hello, I'm considering a boat with a 5.7 Volvo Penta motor/outdrive. Most all of my boats were merc motors/outdrives and was looking for some feedback regarding this motor type and outdrive. The owner does not have an hour meter on the boat and it is a 2002 model year. Are there any issues regarding this motor/outdrive combo I should know about before I take the boat out for a test run......thanks in advance for any information and advice.....

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,...... The 350 Merc, 'n the 350 Volvo are the exact same Chevy long block motors,.....
They're just dressed with Merc, or Volvo accessories, induction, ignition, etc.......
You don't mention which Volvo drive, so no comment there,....

 

[Lou C]

If it’s a 2002 it should be an SX drive which was a good unit. If it’s an EFI or throttle body injected engine keep in mind a lot of those parts are NLA, you’re actually better off with a carbed engine for a boat that age. First thing though is to check for rot in the structure! If a wood cored boat there could be a lot!

 

[SHickey]

Thanks so much for your responses......the motor compartment says 5.7 Gi not sure if it's fuel injected or carbureted but from the picture of the motor I would assume it's fuel injected.....I can ask the owner what type the outdrive is this afternoon.....

 

[Lou C]

in the GI the "I" denotes fuel injection, not sure if it is throttle body or port fuel injection, if it's a 2002, I'm pretty sure it is a Volvo SX outdrive. Should be painted silver.
Like I said the problem you can run into is not being able to get spare parts for the fuel injection system and one of the ignition systems they also used (Prestolite BID system) if it has a Delco EST that's better you can get parts for those.
The Volvo SX drive is a cone clutch shifted drive similar to the Merc Bravo, and is more than strong enough for a V8 and boat of that weight.
You might want to find out if you can get service on Volvo I/Os in your location as well. Here Volvo service is no problem but that is not true everywhere.

 

[SHickey]

So the owner said the outdrive is a Penta SX outdrive.... I will ask if he knows for sure if the motor is EFI or has a carb.

 

[SHickey]

So in the worse case scenario, if I had major problems with the EFI or the electronic ignition systems, can a replacement system be installed on the motor or is the motor completely unusable??

 

[Bondo]

So in the worse case scenario, if I had major problems with the EFI or the electronic ignition systems, can a replacement system be installed on the motor or is the motor completely unusable??

Ayuh,..... If the Efi dies, you swap to a 4bbl. carb,.....
If the ignition dies, you swap in a Delco voyager system,....

 

[Lou C]

Yep that’s what you do. Not cheap but a good permanent solution. You’d need a 4bbl cast iron intake, and a Holley or a Edelbrock 4 bbl carb & low pressure electric fuel pump. Figure like 1200 in parts for that

 

[BRICH1260]

GI is the throttle body injection system.
I would be nice to know how many engine hours to have as a guide, but generally that engine and that drive are robust and reliable, always depending on how well it`s been cared for over the years.

 

[SHickey]

Thanks again for the advice and information.....the owner has seemed to keep the boat in good working order and in the worse case scenario, $1200 for a carb system is not horrible considering other problems that can arise. I will take the boat out for a spin on Saturday. Any suggestions regarding how to evaluate the motor and outdrive on a test run? What would be the MUST do tests you guys would do on a check out ride?

 

[Lou C]

Check oil for presence of water (milky appearance)
Engine for ease of starting smooth running and no odd noises. Check gauges at idle volts 13.5-14, oil pressure (cold 40, hot 20-25 or so) temp 160, might rise to 175 after coming off plane…
Outdrive for proper shifting into gear and quiet operation. If you can remove the drain plug look for water coming out before gear oil
Run the boat up on plane & watch the gauges…oil pressure 40-60 at speed, temp should stay at about 160, volts 13.5-14
Rpm…at wide open throttle it should pull the rpm listed by the manufacturer (usually 4400-4600 or so).
Manifolds & elbows take temps with an IR temp gun, usually they are at about 100 at idle and 135 after coming off plane…

 

[SHickey]

Specifically, what should the oil pressure read and the motor water temp on average? What would you expect the top speed of this type of boat to obtain with just a couple of people in it for a test run?

 

[SHickey]

Thanks Lou C......I didn't check the forum before I asked the questions you already answered..... thanks again everyone for your input....

 

[SHickey]

Last stupid question but is there a used boat / trailer check list somewhere in any of these forums I could print out and complete while I'm viewing and testing the boat and looking over the trailer. I'm afraid if I'm too excited about the boat and it's characteristics, I would probably miss critical things I should be aware of when I meet with the owner.....

 

[Kosmofreeze]

Specifically, what should the oil pressure read and the motor water temp on average? What would you expect the top speed of this type of boat to obtain with just a couple of people in it for a test run?

RE: ... top speed ... - I've got a 26' Cruiser with a VP 5.7GXi (the 320 hp version of the 5.7Gi ) running an F3 SS prop. It'll do 40+ mph at WOT with a couple people onboard. I concur with the "normal" operating parameters discussed in this thread. I've only had my boat (a 2001 w/ less than 400 fresh water hrs on the engine) a couple seasons, it's been very reliable. I don't lose sleep over replacing the fuel injection system with a carb.

 

[Scott Danforth]

for a 23 year old boat, check for mildew, rot, and anything in the bilge that looks like it hasnt been maintained.

I would suggest a survey.

Find out when the drive was last pulled for an alignment check, gimbal bearing check and u-joint check. supposed to be every year.

find out when the bellows were last replaced. VP recommends every 3 years

find out when the raw water pump impeller was last serviced.

regarding the motor. its an SBC. use the rule of thumb of 10 psi per every 1000 RPM as a minimum guide on oil pressure

WOT RPM for the motor is 4600-5000 rpm.. motor should hit 4800 RPM no problem

as for speed. its a moderately heavy boat. assume a good 40-45mph on it.

Here is a link to the fourwinns catalog of 2002. https://www.fourwinns.com/uploads/2017/2/Four-Winns-Sport-Boats-Catalog-2002.pdf

There may be a boattest.com review of it.

 

[SHickey]

Thanks again for the information gentlemen...... I will make up a check list of the suggestions and spend a fair amount of time evaluating the boat.