Re: Volvo 270 universal joint bellow replacement
Hey Don & JHB,
I posted in reply to this post because I am having similiar issues. I'm brand new to the forums and this is my first boat project with the exception of my john boat when I was a kid. I've been reading the forums while working on my new project and they've been a big help. I have been completely redoing my father's 1986 Bayliner with an Volvo Penta AQ 125 B engine and a 270 outdrive.
So Far I've taken apart the entire upper engine, sanded, wirebrushed, degreased, cleaned, painted, oiled, lubed, and/or replaced every part, nut, bolt, belt, filter, gasket, hose, wire, and spring. I got the head a valve job, replaced the exhaust manifold, installed an electronic ignition, put it back together, and changed the oil. Fun times. I think I'm getting close.
I've read up on and seen the diagrams concerning replacing the upper and lower bellows on the outdrive but I've run into a road block. I saw that it is possible to just remove the gear box to replace the bellows. I followed the diagram and successfully detached the gear box from the lower outdrive, but have no idea how to detach the gear box from the universal joints. Basically I can't actually pull off the bellows and replace them.
Also, the ujoiunts are kind of rusty, which could be from water in the bellows while running, but is more likely from just sitting all of those years. They seem really sturdy maybe just need to be cleaned up and greased. Trying to avoid pulling the engine and save some money if possible. I know I should also replace the seals and any instruction on that front would help as well.
Just a little history. The boat has been sitting on land since my dad passed in 1995. In 1999 I pulled off what was left of the tarp and got to work. I cleaned it all up, replaced the floor, had the canvas resewn, and repainted the bottom. Then I got it shrink wrapped and went to college.
This summer I started on the engine as earlier mentioned. The next thing to do, in order to hopefully crank her over is to finish replacing these bellows and reconditioning the outdrive.
I realize that there are probably quite few things that I'm missing which is why I'm looking for your input. Oh one last thing, which is probably the biggest problem I might have. I put the engine back together and forgot to put in one small gasket between the head and the water pump. Stupid rooky mistake. When I started to fill the heat exchanger, it started running out of the space of course.
I had already torqued down the cam shaft and head, and filled it with oil. I left the oil in, untorqued the head, and got the gasket in just fine. nice and snug. I refilled the heat exchanger to test it and wasn't losing anything from between water pump and the head. Here's the nightmare part. I didn't have a torque wrench handy, so I lightly tightened the head bolts. When I began pouring anit-freeze/water itno the heat exchanger, I immediatley noticed it starting to seep out between the head and the lower unit on the right side.
I freaked out of course, and tightened down the head bolts. It stopped and is holding water fine. I'm worried about antifreeze/water in the oil, cylinders etc. In the manuals it talks about retorqueing the head bolts after the engine is hot, so I wonder if maybe I got lucky, or if I have to flush the systems, or, worst case scernio: I have to pull it all apart, lower engine included and clean it all up, or even worse case scenario: I just killed my boat.
Any input would be greatly appreciated. I hope I am posting this question properly. If not, sorry, I can reposted as a new thread if that is better.
So in summary, 1) I need to know how to separate the gear box from the ujoint to replace the bellows, 2) I need to know how much more work I made fro myself by forgetting that one gasket, 3) I would appreciate any other insight you guys have on this project, 4) Lastly, the oweners manual says to use 10W40 oil in the engine and outdrive. I discovered this after following the forums suggestion to use straight 30. Should I switch to 10W40? And what grease should I use in my grease gun for the outdrive?
I think that's it. At any rate, my apologies for the long post. Hopefully some of these questions will clear up some questions for other members. Thank you guys again for the forums. You guys are life savers.
