How does a i/o drive work?

[WestCoast2500HD]

I've got a ebbtide campione 188 w/ a Volvo/Penta i/o (vortec valve covers though?) and was wondering how a i/o drive works? Is there a clutch system or hydraulic system for the drive? I'm very familiar with autos but besides being a jetski guy i'm new to boat stuff.

Main problem is that the engine needs to be primed before a cold start. Can I just work the throttle 1 or 2 times to squirt some fuel in the engine or will the drive system suffer? (i probably should just rebuild the carb though.)

Thanks!

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: How does a i/o drive work?

if its a carburetor, yes, you have to prime the engine by pumping the throttle. it squirts fuel into the carb and sets the choke.

the way a drive works in a nutshell:

your boat control has two cables connected to the control, one throttle, one shift. you can press the button to get throttle only for cold starts to run the engine in neutral.

as you move the lever forward, the throttle is advanced (like pressing on the gas pedal in the car) and the drive is put into forward gear. your volvo has cone clutches in the drive, some drives have dog clutches. in some drives, the ignition is retarded to unload the drive as it slips into gear.

if you pull the lever rearward, the trottle is advanced, and the reverse gear is engaged.

 

[WestCoast2500HD]

Re: How does a i/o drive work?

Nice!
Thanks scott.

I was worried that throttling it while off was hurting something.

 

[TyeeMan]

Re: How does a i/o drive work?

And NEVER, NEVER free rev the engine (in neutral) over 1500 - 2000 rpm.

All the vortec valve covers meens is that you have a GM 4.3L, 5.0L, 5.7L, or 7.4L block with GM Vortec heads. Basically there a high flow head design for a little extra ooomph. GM came out with that in the mid 90's.

 

[Don S]

Re: How does a i/o drive work?

You need to post what engine/drive you have, not what boat. SN or full Model numbers also helps. Engines and drives do change from year to year.

 

[John2037]

Re: How does a i/o drive work?

And NEVER, NEVER free rev the engine (in neutral) over 1500 - 2000 rpm.

I dont wanna hijack this thread but out of curisity is there a quick answer, why? Like the OP I am very good with autos and jet ski's and those are okay to free rev (to a limit), I can think of a couple of reasons maybe but as a newb to boats IDK...

 

[jeffnick]

Re: How does a i/o drive work?

I dont wanna hijack this thread but out of curisity is there a quick answer, why? Like the OP I am very good with autos and jet ski's and those are okay to free rev (to a limit), I can think of a couple of reasons maybe but as a newb to boats IDK...

Or at least no high revs with the drive tilted up. Those U-joints don't like turning at a large angle, and they turn even in neutral.