Logo
FULL SITE MENU

Finding Parts for a Volvo Penta 250A

W

weekend boater

New member
I have a boat with (2) Model 250A Volvo Penta engines manufactured in 1989. The starboard motor has a power problem. When it was torn down, I found that the #4 cylinder rings are stuck to the piston because of water leaking into the cylinder from a rusted through exhaust manifold. I was able to locate a new exhaust manifold through Barr Marine. I have checked with several local marine mechanics in my area and am told that the parts to rebuild this motor are no longer available. I searched for the distributor in my area, and am told that they have all of the parts for the rebuild. No one in my area wants to work on a Volvo Penta. All of the marine mechanics that I have consulted, say to replace both engines with Mercruiser. The drives will also have to be replaced. This will be more than the boat is worth. Has anyone in Michigan been able to find an honest mechanic to rebuild a 250A? Can anyone suggest an honest motor rebuilder in the Detroit, Mi area?
 
If the piston is in good condition, replacing the rings is not a problem; they are available and they are not expensive (automotive will do). If the piston is bad you will be paying $$$ for a new or even a used one. They are an odd size not available in automotive versions of your engine.

If you want to replace the engines with Mercruiser you will also have to replace the drive. Not only they don't make bellhousings (OK, flywheel covers ....) to couple 4 cylinder Fords or Chevs to VP AQ drives, but also the exhaust would be at the wrong side of your current exhaust pipe. And since Mercruiser transom shields are smaller, you will have to fill the transom hole and re-cut if you want to install one (better have it professionally done).

My advice is that, if you can rebuild your engine by just doing a light honing to #4 cylinder and use new rings, then go for it. If you want to do full repower, you may be better off getting another boat. And, of course, you can always find a used engine or parts on ebay, Craigslist, etc.
 
Try to find a piston if need be.
Stay with your Volvo Penta drives. These are great cone clutch drives.
These are main suspension fork and pivot tube geometry.
The Merc uses a Gimbaled suspension system.

Going to a Merc A drive would be a step backwards... and like Eduardo said, your transom cut outs are too large for the Merc Gimbal housings.



.
 
Last edited:
Thank You both el_pescador and Ricardo for your quick replies to my problem. I now have a better understanding about the engines and drives in my boat. Does anyone know of a machine shop in the Detroit, MI area who will work on a Volvo Penta engine?
 
The reason they recommend Mercruisers is because they don't know squat about Volvo Penta cone clutch drives. Ask them why mercruiser copied the V/P years ago!!
 
weekend boater said:
Thank You both el_pescador and Ricardo for your quick replies to my problem. I now have a better understanding about the engines and drives in my boat. Does anyone know of a machine shop in the Detroit, MI area who will work on a Volvo Penta engine?
Click to expand...

I did the same rebuild over the last year. I have twin 1989 AQ151Cs. ( I didn't think they made the 250s till later).

First I worried about getting a machine shop that specializes in Volvo Marine and the rebuilder I found in Indiana turned out to be terrible. Over 8 months for a simple rebuild.

Next, I had the other engine rebuilt by a local machine shop. I visited a few local Volvo car mechanics and asked for recommendations. Machine shop turned out to be very nice and honest. I did need to have custom pistons made. Cost for 4 about $700. Replacement 531 Head from e-bay- about $250. All told I spent about $5,000. Parts are tricky to find but they are out there. Get what you can off e-bay.

Make sure you look at the #4 exhaust port. They are prone to corrosion.

It turned out to be a fairly fun project and not too expensive (I thought). I'd stick with Volvo.

Good Luck!
 
boatdoc55 said:
  1. The reason they recommend Mercruisers is because they don't know squat about Volvo Penta cone clutch drives.

  2. Ask them why mercruiser copied the V/P years ago!!
Click to expand...

  1. Just yesterday I read a thread whereby the OP was told by a Merc mechanic that he could use any AQ series lower unit as a replacement.
    The reason he sited was that the V/P ratio change occured in the upper unit.... not the lower unit. :mad:
    Wrong!
    The OP was sold an incorrect lower unit ratio, and spent days trying to prop it correctly, and to no avail.

  2. Just to be clear, Merc was granted copy rights to use Volvo Penta's pattented cone clutch design.
    Without this, their BIII drive could not have been produced.
 
Back
Top