volvo penta cylinder head

[pearldiver57]

Can anyone help me with some info on volvo penta cylinder head. I have an 89 Renken with an AQ131A engine, volvo penta sterndrive 270. I noticed a ticking sound on the exhaust side of the head and felt an exhaust leak on the 4th port. When I went to change gasket, the last port was damaged. It appears that a steel ring was inserted into the port to fix. I'm looking to just change heads. My original casting # is 1000531. I was told that i could use any head from a Volvo 2.3 SOHC with a casting number 1000530. I found a cylinder head from a 93 or 94 Volvo 940 Turbo. I'm doing a complete valve job on this head. I heard the turbo models used the sodium filled exhaust valves. Do I need to change cams? or will this head work with the car cam?
Pearldiver57

 

[180shabah]

Re: volvo penta cylinder head

I'm no expert here, but i doubt that the turbo cam will provide any power in your boat without the turbo, so yes you will probably need to replace the cam.

 

[Robj]

Re: volvo penta cylinder head

That ring in the fourth cylinder exhaust port is there by design, right from VP. It is intended to protect the port from damage. For some reason that port is prone to corrosion or pitting. If it is not damaged too bad, I would just clean the area and replace the gasket. If you change the head, I believe you will need to change the cam to the marine one. I am not sure if the automotive head will have that steel insert ring.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[pearldiver57]

Re: volvo penta cylinder head

Thanks rob for your info. I was told that the steel ring was the fix that is very common for that head. Half of the port itself is missing and the exhaust is leaking from behind the ring. I will have the old head welded and repaired once removed and have it as a back-up. I just wanted a quick swap head to save the rest of the fishing season.
pearldiver57