sunbird 17 ft.

shawn pearson

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Joined
Mar 14, 2006
Messages
3
Hi to all. i am new to the boat thing. i was given a 1985 sunbird boat but the motor is bad it is a (aq125a/270) i was told that i could get a motor out of a mid (80's) 244 car.any help would keep my wife from killing me for geting this boat. she wants to get out on the water soon so help me out guy's and gal's. :confused:
 

Haut Medoc

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jun 29, 2004
Messages
10,645
Re: sunbird 17 ft.

Welcome to iboats :) I'm not a Volvo guy, but a car engine will have the wrong cam....You need a truck engine.....There are many members who are well versed on your specific set up.....While waiting for feedback, go to the 'Search' function at the top of the page & type in aq125a, there is a ton of information for you to browse......Again, welcome.......JK
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: sunbird 17 ft.

While the block might be the same, that's where it ends. Even the head and cams are different.<br />Stick with the marine version unless you know what can and can not be replace with automotive parts.
 

Mischief Managed

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
1,928
Re: sunbird 17 ft.

I had an 84 sunbird 17 footer with the same engine and drive. It's a Volvo 2.1 liter car engine that has been marinized. I don't think Volvo ever put them in trucks. <br /><br />When you say the engine is "bad" what do you mean? They are very easy and CHEAP to rebuild. If it just needs rings and bearings, it will be a breeze to deal with. The way the engine is mounted in the boat makes it wonderfully simple to remove and re-install.
 

shawn pearson

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Joined
Mar 14, 2006
Messages
3
Re: sunbird 17 ft.

I dont know nothing about the motor in the boat. it is tore apart the head is off.look's real rusty in the cly. i am not looking for power just some thing to take my wife and kids out on to ride around the lake just to have some fun on.and do some fishing off of. thank for your help.
 

Mischief Managed

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Dec 6, 2005
Messages
1,928
Re: sunbird 17 ft.

Well, if the engine has no holes in the side and you have all the parts, yank it out, get the block cleaned out, the bores measured, the crank pistons and rods inspected and see if it can be resurrected. With luck, you'll have one like mine that only needed rings and bearings. <br /><br />If you do not have the tools or skills to work on this engine, the boat is NOT worth paying someone to fix. There are scads of other working boats out there that would be cheaper to just buy. Buy one with the same engine and drive and you'll have scads of spare parts from your free boat. You could also eBay the parts from your free boat as well. A good 270 drive should fetch a few hundred. <br /><br />You are in a no-lose situation. That's a great place to be...
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,357
Re: sunbird 17 ft.

Great Info from MM.......<br /><br />The Big Question is;..........<br /><br />Are You going to be turning your own Wrenches,...... Or hiring a Mechanic,.???....<br /><br />Like MM says,........ That'll Make,..... Or Break your Plan............
 

shawn pearson

Recruit
Joined
Mar 14, 2006
Messages
3
Re: sunbird 17 ft.

i am going to do it myslef. i was just looking to drop in a motor while i done this one ...
 
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