Yamaha Sterndrive to VP-280. Upgrade?

T

triman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 30, 2002
Messages
124
I've got a 1991 5.7 Yamaha sterndrive in a 23' cruiser.
A friend has come across a pair of 5.7 VP 280 sterndrives and I'm considering taking one off his hands, out of the goodness of my heart. I'd be doing the swap myself.
Is it worthwhile?
This post -
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=307304

suggests some of the VP parts may be hard to get in Australia.
I have a second Yamaha leg and at present the leg I'm running is working well.

The other option is to throw a rebuild kit into my current engine.
So, which way do I go?

BTW I have a Yamaha book and downloaded the VP-280 book from this site.

Cheers.
 
Bondo

Bondo

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Staff member
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Messages
70,994
Re: Yamaha Sterndrive to VP-280. Upgrade?

Ayuh,... Can parts be bought for the Yamaha down under,..??
They're almost non-existent in the US...

What's the Vintage of the 280s,..??

Rebuilding your present motor is a $1500. plus job around here,... Parts,+ machine shop work anyways..
 
T

triman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 30, 2002
Messages
124
Re: Yamaha Sterndrive to VP-280. Upgrade?

Yamaha parts are still in reasonable supply here, and we can get most of them from new Zealand, where this drive is still quite popular.
With a second leg available for cannibalising if necessary, plus a complete transom setup, I can always cobble something up to keep it going until I can get my next dream boat and pass this one on to one of the kids.
I have little detail on the VPs at present.

Thanx for the prompt response.
 
C

captmello

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Jun 30, 2008
Messages
3,845
Re: Yamaha Sterndrive to VP-280. Upgrade?

You'd have to recut the transum hole to a bigger size for the Volvo. Also, most 280's do not have power trim only a tilt mechanism which may or may not sway your choice. Some did have power trim however, and that would be worth finding out.

The 280's were used from the mid 70's thru mid 80's. Very solid.

It sounds like a big job.

Let us know what you decide to do.
 
M

Maclin

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May 27, 2007
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6,761
Re: Yamaha Sterndrive to VP-280. Upgrade?

I saw what I believe to be that vintage of Yamaha drive up close and the one I looked at was nothing like a VP 280. Maybe I do not understand what you are wanting the 280 for, but I am almost sure the transom holes would not be the same.
 
T

triman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 30, 2002
Messages
124
Re: Yamaha Sterndrive to VP-280. Upgrade?

Thank you boys.
I wasn't aware of the vintage of the 280 - my Yammie is considerably younger so I'll stay with what I have.
Also means I don't have to attack the transom with a chainsaw.

So, next winter I'll chuck a rebuild kit into the 5.7 and give the Yammie legs a good once over.

Another quick question - anyone know where I can get the shimming gauges for the Yamaha leg from?
 
T

triman

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 30, 2002
Messages
124
Re: Yamaha Sterndrive to VP-280. Upgrade?

Thanks for that bart.
 
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