Working on A Volvo/Penta 350 and 280 leg?

[MaxGlide]

Looking at a boat that has a "new" engine (270 hours on it since install) and "fully serviced" 280 leg.
Almost no one around my area will work on anything pre 2000, especially if it has carbs.
My question is ... can a home mechanic work on these? I did all the seals, gaskets, mounts on a Mercruiser 140 and replaced the impeller, water pump and shift shaft bushing on an Mr-1 leg.

thanks all!

 

[QBhoy]

Yeah. Well engineered things. Taking the pins out for drive removal can be a pain though. Make sure you seal up the gear oil drain and fill plugs well though. Tend to take water in otherwise.
Power trim pumps can pass oil and not hold pressure occasionally.

 

[Lou C]

Also it depends on if it was used in salt or fresh. Fresh water I/Os usually will be much easier to work on. Get a factory shop manual, look up a guy by the name of Rick on the Bayliner Owners Club, he is one of the experts on those drives, I bet he can answer any question you might have.
Don't get why "they" won't work on carbs. I find them easier to deal with by far, parts are widely available and cheap. I can do a Quadrajet in about 1.5 hrs. Same with a Holley 4bbl. Even if the carb is bad (corroded inside etc) you can buy a band new Holley or Edelbrock, bolt it on an go boating. Better than searching for EFI ECMs that neither Merc nor Volvo makes anymore!
Even better is mechanical fuel pumps. Cheap, reliable and no wiring to go bad and cause intermittent faults.

 

[Scott Danforth]

With the factory volvo penta manual, yes, the drives are easy to work on with a moderate amount of tools.

without the factory manual (ie, the knee pads known as clymer, haynes, etc.) no way.

 

[QBhoy]

With the factory volvo penta manual, yes, the drives are easy to work on with a moderate amount of tools.

without the factory manual (ie, the knee pads known as clymer, haynes, etc.) no way.

Agree. None of which will give clue to the wee cheeky cheat for doing the bellows the quick way

 

[Scott Danforth]

Agree. None of which will give clue to the wee cheeky cheat for doing the bellows the quick way

I have done "Don's way"and pulled the drive. usually faster for me to pull the drive and toss on the cart as a unit

 

[QBhoy]

I have done "Don's way"and pulled the drive. usually faster for me to pull the drive and toss on the cart as a unit

No doubt the proper way to do it Scott. I only did it once and discovered the shortcut myself and by chance…by just looking at it. Biggest issue I had for the first couple years was water in the gear oil. I think I might have nipped the edge of the o ring and displaced it, the first time. But second year…made sure of it. Still had water in it next winter. Every year after that I put a blob of sealant over the drain plug area to make sure. Never an issue thereafter.
Had to replace the reverse lock too. And the usual issue with the older style trim pump I had on mine.

 

[MaxGlide]

Thank you all for your input! Will reply when not at work. In the meantime, here’s a pic of motor dropped in with 270 hours, “new leg” and there’s another dealer refurbished leg with the deal. Asking $12k Canadian (about $4 US!!). Saltwater boat, immaculate inside. Link to ad.

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[Scott Danforth]

12000 CAD is 8800 USD. the ratio is currently 1:.773

only you can determine if its worth the value to you.

 

[MaxGlide]

Pics of motor and leg.

 

[Lou C]

Engine looks like a pre 1986 with perimeter valve cover bolts and probably a 2 piece main seal. Quadrajet carb & mechanical fuel pump. It all looks good from the pix

 

[Lou C]

They're saying it's a "new" engine but that must mean rebuilt or remanufactured because of the obvious vintage look of it....pre-1986 that's a LONG time ago.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I would want to see receipts. Agreed, 1985 or older motor

 

[MaxGlide]

Engine looks like a pre 1986 with perimeter valve cover bolts and probably a 2 piece main seal. Quadrajet carb & mechanical fuel pump. It all looks good from the pix

Dang you guys are good!